Quantitative Analysis of Sexuality and Relationship Education in Inclusive Higher Education: Brief Report.

Abstract

Inclusive postsecondary education (IPSE) programs support adults with intellectual disabilities' participation in higher education. Students in IPSE programs may have limited knowledge of sexuality, relationships, and social skills, which can be addressed through sexuality and relationship education (SRE). This project evaluated the effect of the Positive Choices© curriculum on the SRE knowledge of 7 students attending an IPSE program in the southeastern United States. Students attended 15 weekly classes taught by two graduate assistants and faculty supervisor during spring 2020; half of course meetings occurred in person and half via Zoom due to COVID-19 restrictions. The authors analyzed results of pre-post one sample t-test of student scores on five instructor-created assessments. All students showed statistically significant increases in knowledge for each assessment and overall. Future research should assess the effect of other curricula in use in IPSE programs and evaluate the need for and use of supplemental materials for instruction.