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I started in this field as a public school
rehabilitation counselor. I had a brother with a severe
disability and that, coupled with more than five years of
experience in schools, led to my developing a strong interest in
what happens to individuals with disabilities both in terms of
educational opportunities and post-school outcomes. I eventually
earned a doctorate in special education policy and
administration, with a specialization in the design of
transition and employment training programs for individuals with
disabilities.
In addition to my role as associate professor in
the Department of Educational Policy and Administration, I
currently direct the Institute on
Community Integration
(ICI), a federally-designated University Affiliated Program that
focuses on developmental disabilities. ICI carries out three
core activities—preservice and continuing education, research
and dissemination, and service and outreach across four program
areas: early childhood services, school-age services, transition
and employment services, and adult services/community living.
ICI began in 1985 with fewer than 20 staff, today the Institute
encompasses more than 150 faculty, academic and support
personnel, research assistants, and students. ICI supports more
than 45 students in their graduate studies at the University of
Minnesota, representing the disciplines of special education,
school psychology, health, social work, and others.
My research interests include studies on the
post-school outcomes on youth with disabilities, access and
participation of young adults with disabilities in postsecondary
education programs, studies on systems change and program
improvement, cost-benefit analysis, and other policy-related
research. Over the years, I have served as a principal
investigator and director of numerous federal and state
research, training, and demonstration projects with a focus on
these and other research interests. I also routinely serve as a
consultant to several national, regional, and state
organizations, including the U.S. Department of Education,
Department of Labor, Rehabilitation Services Administration,
National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research,
Office of Special Education Programs, Senate and House
congressional committees, and others. I also serve on the
editorial boards of several professional journals in special
education and disability policy.
Full curriculum vitae.
Selected publications
Johnson, D. R. (2005). Supported employment
trends: Implications for transition-age youth. Research and
Practice for Persons with Severe Disabilities, 29(4),
243-247.
Johnson, D. R. & Bremer, C. (2005).
Comparison of the secondary education and transition provisions
of the 1997 and 2004 Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
Amendments. Career Development for Exceptional Individuals.
Sharpe, M. N., Johnson, D. R., & Murray, H.
(2004). An analysis of instruction accommodations and assistive
technologies used by postsecondary graduates with disabilities.
Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, 17(4), 1-9.
Ysseldyke, J., Nelson, R., Christenson, S,
Johnson, D.R., Dennison, A, Triezenberg, H., Sharpe, M, and
Hawes, M. (2004). What we know and need to know about the
consequences of high stakes testing for students with
disabilities. Exceptional Children, 71(1), 75-96.
Johnson, D. R., Stodden, R. A., Emanuel, E.
J., Luecking, R., & Mack, M. (2002). Current challenges facing
secondary education and transition services: What research tells
us. Exceptional Children, 68(4), 519-531.
Thurlow, M., & Johnson, D. R. (2000).
High-stakes testing and students with disabilities. Journal
of Teacher Education, 51(4), 305-314.
Lehr, C. A., Johnson, D. R., Bremer, C. D.,
Cosio, A., & Thompson, M. (2004). Increasing rates of school
completion: Moving from policy and research to practice.
Minneapolis, MN: Institute on Community Integration, National
Center on Secondary Education and Transition, University of
Minnesota.
Johnson, D. R., & Thurlow, M. L. (2004). A
national study on graduation requirements and diploma options
for youth with disabilities. Minneapolis, MN: National
Center on Secondary Education and Transition Institute on
Community Integration, University of Minnesota.
Academic degrees
- Ph.D. 1987, University of Minnesota, Educational Policy
and Administration
- M.S. 1977, Mankato State University, Rehabilitation
Counseling.
- B.A. 1973, University of Minnesota, Sociology
Professional experience
- 1997-present, director,
Institute on Community Integration, College of Education
and Human Development, University of Minnesota
- 2001-present, professor, Department of
Educational Policy and Administration, College of Education
and Human Development, University of Minnesota
- 1997-2001, associate professor, Department of
Educational Policy and Administration, College of Education
and Human Development, University of Minnesota
- 1995-1997, senior research associate, Institute on
Community Integration, University of Minnesota
- 1992-1997, director, National Transition Network,
College of Education and Human Development, University of
Minnesota
Faculty and administrative load
- EDPA 5356—Contemporary Policy and Services for Persons
with Disabilities. (3 credits)
- EDPA 5524—Colloquium in Evaluation Studies, Longitudinal
Studies. (1 credit)
- EDPA 8502—Program Evaluation Theory and Models. (3
credits)
- EDPA 5521—Cost and Economic Analysis in Educational
Evaluation. (3 credits)
- EDPA 8596—Internship in Program Evaluation. (1-6
credits)
Other collegiate assignments (1996-2005)
- Member (Ad Hoc), College Consultative Committee,
2000-present
- Chair, Research Committee, College of Education and
Human Development, 1999-present
- Member, Departmental Evaluation Studies Program
- Member, College of Education and Human Development
Administrative Council
Current professional and academic association memberships
- National School Boards Association
- Minnesota School Boards Association
- American Association on Mental Retardation
- Council for Exceptional Children
- School Board of Rockford School District #883, 1989-1997
- Co-Founder and Executive Board Member, Skills for
Tomorrow High School (one of Minnesota's charter schools)
Current professional assignments and activities
- Guest editor, Journal of Career Development for
Exceptional Individuals. 1988-present.
- Editorial board, Exceptional Children.
1989-present.
- Editorial board, International Journal of
Intellectual and Developmental Disability. 1991-present.
October 2005 |
