Literacy, Numeracy, and Problem Solving: Which Skills Are Facilitating STEM Outcomes for Adults With Disabilities?

• In Event: 16.041 - Studies in Adult Literacy and Adult Learning

Abstract

Preparing students and adults with disabilities to enter STEM fields has been an expressed national priority. However, little is known about the information-processing skills- literacy, numeracy, and problem solving- needed to pursue STEM. This study seeks to examine the role of adult skills in attaining a STEM degree and/or STEM career for people with disabilities. Using the Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies for the U.S., findings illustrate that numeracy skill is a significant predictor of STEM degree attainment for people with disabilities with a greater effect size than for the nondisabled population. Unlike the nondisabled population and the hearing disabled population, numeracy skills do not predict STEM occupation for people with visual or learning disabilities.

Authors

• Jacob Kirksey, University of California - Santa Barbara

• Micaela Victoria Cesario Morgan, University of California - Santa Barbara