Frank R. Rusch
Frank R. Rusch
Professor of Education
frr3@psu.edu
Research Interests
Professor Frank R. Rusch is known internationally for his research related to transition from school to work. Over the past 30 years, Professor Rusch has been studying how to utilize social capital to support individuals with disabilities after graduation from high school, how to structure transition services to promote meaningful outcomes, how to promote individual autonomy as a result of learning to direct one’s own behavior, and how to utilize diverse methodologies in the study of socially relevant outcomes. Research methodologies utilized by Professor Rusch include secondary analyses of the outcomes reported by the federally mandated Longitudinal Study of Youth in Transition, matched-pairs analysis of the effectiveness of a high school education, qualitative and quantitative analyses of model programs, and meta-evaluations of model program outcomes. Several of Professor Rusch’s publications have introduced new methods of inquiry, including meta-analyses of research utilizing repeated measures, withdrawal designs for use with intra-subject experimental designs, and new conceptual frameworks to better understand cost-benefit analyses. Prior to joining the Penn State College of Education, Professor Rusch founded the Transition Research Institute at Illinois with federal funds received as a result of the 1983 Amendments to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 1973 (EHA P. L. 98-199) in 1985. He has received over $25 million in support of his research and training.
Selected Recent Publications
(Invited). Rusch, F. R., & Wolfe, P. (in press). When will our values finally result in the creation of new pathways for change—Change that we can believe in? Research and Practice for Severe Disabilities.
Mpofu, E., Rusch, F. R., Chan, S., Engelbrecht, P., Mutepfa, M., Ruhode, N., & Seymour, K. L. (in press). Remedial education. In C. S. Clauss-Ehlers (Ed.), Encyclopedia of cross cultural school psychology. Springer Publishers: New York, NY.
Macy, M., & Rusch, F. R. (in press). Life skill planning evaluation. In E. Mpofu & T. Oakland (Eds.), Assessment in rehabilitation and health. Columbus, OH: Pearson Allyn & Bacon.
Rusch, F. R., Hughes, C., Agran, M., Martin, J. E. & Johnson, J. R. (2009). Toward self-directed learning, post-high school placement, and coordinated support: Constructing new transition bridges to adult life. Career Development for Exceptional Individuals, 32, 1-7.
Rusch, F. R. (Ed.). (2008). Beyond high school: Preparing adolescents for tomorrow’s challenges (2nd Ed.). Columbus, OH: Pearson Merrill Prentice Hall Publishers.
Rusch, F. R., & Kostewicz, D. E. (2008). Functional self-instruction training to promote generalized learning. In W. O’Donohue, J. Fisher, & S. Hayes (Eds.). Principles and techniques of cognitive behavior therapy: An introduction. (pp. 230-235). New York, NY: Pergamon Press.
Ostryn, C., Wolfe, P. S, & Rusch, F. R. (2008). A review and analysis of the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) for individuals with autism spectrum disorders using a paradigm of communication competence. Research and Practice for Severe Disabilities, 1-2, 1-12.
Rusch, F. R., & Keller, K. F. (2006). Mental retardation. In W. O’Donohue, & J. Fisher, (Eds.). Practitioner’s guide to evidence based psychotherapy (pp. 408-413). Springer Publishers: New York, NY.
Rusch, F. R, & Braddock, D. (2005). Adult day programs versus supported employment (1988-2002): Spending and service practices of mental retardation and developmental disabilities state agencies. Research and Practice for Persons with Severe Disabilities, 29, 237-242.
Zhang, D., & Rusch, F. R. (2005). Spiritual dimensions in living with disabilities. Journal of Religion, Disability, and Health, 9, 83-98.
Rusch, F. R., & Loomis, F. D. (2005). The unfulfilled promise of special education: The transition from education to work for young adults with disabilities. Exceptional Parent, 72-74.
Recent Grants
(Co-Principal Investigator, with James T. Herbert). Increasing Training Capacity and Number of State Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors Serving High School Youth with Disabilities. US, Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences, Rehabilitation Services Administration. 2008-2013, $1,204,569.
