The relative benefits found for students with and without learning disabilities taking a first-year university preparation course

Abstract

Positive outcomes have been reported for university preparation courses for students without disabilities. Little is known about whether these courses can offer the same benefit to students with learning disabilities and whether the inclusion of psychosocial factors, in addition to academic skills, would benefit both groups. First-level students with and without learning disabilities were tested on variables known to influence academic performance at the beginning and end of a university preparation course. Results revealed that students entering university with and without learning disabilities have similar challenges. Both groups showed increases in attentiveness, and academic and general resourcefulness after the course. Students with learning disabilities experienced greater gains in academic self-efficacy in comparison to their non-disabled peers. The study showed benefits in including psychosocial measures in a university preparation course, and that integrating students with learning disabilities into the course could help to alleviate the limited resources of disabilities programs.