Edwin Achola

Ph.D., Special Education & Disability Policy - Virginia Commonwealth University
M.Ed., Education of Exceptional Persons - Indiana University of Pennsylvania
B.Ed., Secondary Education (English) - Maseno University

Research Interests: 
Culturally Responsive Pedagogy, Multicultural Transition Planning, Post-secondary Education for Students with Disabilities

Grants:
Powers, K., Achola, E., & Hagans, K. Culturally Responsive Transition Policies, Planning and  Practices Co-authored. Funded by the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services  (OSERS) for $1,249,922 (CFDA # 84.325K). August 2015 – August 2020.

Achola, E. & Powers, K. Project HOGAR AY 2015-2016 Grant Mentoring Program for Faculty. Edwin Achola. ($5,000 and 3 units of assigned time)

Nixon, C., Achola, E., Thoma, C. (2012). Health care transition needs of youth with mild disabilities living in poverty. Center of Excellence Outreach ($2,500)

Achola, E. & Green, G. (in press) Person-Family-Centered Transition planning: Improving post-school outcomes for culturally diverse youth and families. Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation.

Agran, M., Wojcik, A., Cain, I., Thoma, C., Achola, E., Austin, K. M., Nixon, C. & Tamura, R. (In Press) Participation of students with intellectual and developmental disabilities in extracurricular activities: Does inclusion end at 3:00?

Powers, K. & Achola, E. (2016). Transition Planning. In Kampwirth, T & Powers, K. Collaborative consultation in the schools, 5th Edition. Columbus, Ohio: Pearson Press.

Achola, E.O., Tamura, R., & Nixon, C. (2013). Health care assessment. In C.A. Thoma & R. Tamura (Eds.). Demystifying Transition Assessment. Baltimore: Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co.

Wehman, P., Kevin, S & Achola, E. (2012). Applications for youth with emotional and Behavior disorders. In P.

Wehman. (Eds). Life beyond the classroom: Transition strategies for young people with disabilities: Paul H. Brookes Publishing

Thoma, C.A., Austin, K., Achola, E., Batalo, C., Carlson, D., Boyd, K., Bozeman, L., & Wolfe, D. (2012).The state of postsecondary education for persons with intellectual disabilities: What are the perceptions of key stakeholders? Creative Education. DOI:10-4236/CE 2012

Gerber, P.J, Batalo, C. G and Achola, E. O (2011) Learning disabilities and employment before and in the Americans with disabilities act era: Progress or a bridge too far? Learning disabilities. An interdisciplinary journal, 17(3), 123-129. doi: 10.1002/dys.437

Gerber,P. J., Batalo, C. G., & Achola, E. (2012). Dyslexia and learning disabilities In Canada and the United Kingdom: The impact of its disability employment laws. Dyslexia: International Journal of Research and Practice, 18(3), 166-73. doi: 10.1002/dys.1441

Achola, E. & Arora, T. (2015) Family-Centered Transition planning (FCTP): Strategies for increasing effective transition services, supports, and outcomes for individuals with exceptionalities and families from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds. International conference on Autism and Developmental Disabilities, Clearwater-Florida.  

Achola, E. (2015). Person Centered Transition Planning: Improving Outcomes to   Culturally Diverse Youth & Families. A Bridge to the Future II” California Institute on Secondary Transition, San Diego, California.

Achola, E. (2015). Impact of college social environment on academic achievement and persistence of students with disabilities. Council of Exceptional Children, San Diego, California.

Thoma, C., Tamura, R., Nixon, C., Achola, E. & Austin, K. (2015) Participation of Students with Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities in Extracurricular Activities: Are Students Included? Council of Exceptional Children, San Diego, California.

Achola, E. (2015) Using Person-Family Interdependent Planning Approach to Improve Transition Outcomes for Culturally Diverse Youth & Families. 19th International Division on Career Development and Transition Conference Portland, Oregon.

Achola, E. Nixon, C. A., Tamura, R. & Austin, K. (accepted) Participation of Students with Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities in Extracurricular Activities: Are Students Included?" International conference on Autism and Developmental Disabilities, Honolulu-Hawaii (January, 2016).  

Nixon, C. A., Thoma, C. Achola, E., Tamura, R. & Austin, K. (2015) Participation of Students with Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities in Extracurricular Activities: Are Students Included?" 19th International Division on Career Development and Transition Conference Portland, Oregon.

Achola, E. (2014). Completing college: A longitudinal examination of potential antecedents of success in postsecondary education for students with disabilities. Council for Exceptional Children, Philadelphia, PA

Achola, E. (2013) Completing college: A longitudinal examination of potential antecedents of success in postsecondary education for students with disabilities. Division on Career Development and Transition, Williamsburg, VA.

Nixon, C., Achola, E., Thoma, C.A., Tamura, R., & Salmirs, D. (2012)Strategies to increase teacher knowledge in supporting student self- determination. Division on Career Development and Transition, Denver, CO

Nixon, C., Achola, E., Thoma, C.A., Tamura, R., & Salmirs, D. (2012) Effective strategies to increase teacher knowledge in supporting student self- determination. National Transition Conference, Washington, DC.

Thoma, C., Nixon, C., Achola, E., Salmirs, D. (2011). Preparing Teachers to Facilitate Student Self-determination in Transition: What do teacher educators need to know and do. DCDT International Conference. Kansas City, MO.

Reed, E & Achola, E. (2011) Comparing Traditional and Alternative Licensure Routes Performance Assessments of ECSE Scholars from Different Backgrounds OSEP Project Directors’ conference. Washington, DC.

Thoma, C.A., Batalo, C., Achola, E., Wolfe, D., Boyd, K., & Austin, K. (2010) Follow up to the 2009 State of the Science Conference: A qualitative review of meeting transcripts. Presentation at the 2010 State of the Art Conference on post-secondary education and individuals with intellectual disability. Fairfax, VA