National Longitudinal Transition Study-2 , Wave 1-5

The NLTS2 sample was constructed in two stages. A stratified random sample of 3,630 LEAs was selected from the universe of approximately 12,000 LEAs that serve students receiving special education in at least one grade from 7th through 12th grades. These LEAs and 80 state-supported special schools that serve primarily students with hearing and vision impairments and multiple disabilities were invited to participate in the study, with the intention of recruiting 500 LEAs and as many special schools as possible from which to select the target sample of about 12,000 students. The target LEA sample was reached; 500 LEAs and 40 special schools agreed to participate and provided rosters of students receiving special education in the designated age range.

The roster of all students in the NLTS2 age range who were receiving special education from each LEA1 and special school was stratified by disability category. Then, students were selected randomly from each disability category. Sampling fractions were calculated that would produce enough students in each category so that, in the final study year, findings would generalize to most categories individually with an acceptable level of precision, accounting for attrition and for response rates to the parent/youth interview. A total of 11,270 students were selected and eligible to participate in NLTS2.

• Administrative records
• Survey (self- or interviewer-administered)
• Assessment

Data were collected from multiple sources and through a variety of methods. Wave 1 and Wave 2 sources included parents, youth, and school staff whereas in Wave 3, Wave 4, and Wave 5 data were collected from parents and youth only. Data were collected from fewer sources in Wave 3 and later waves.