Authors Aldridge and Goldman, and Anthony Rebora argued that despite monumental improvements following passage of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) in 1975, issues persist around the disproportionate provision of services to minority ethnic groups in special education (SPED) programs. While author Rebora, in his article Keeping Special Ed in Proportion, provided an uncommon look at how the imbalance of service is actually determined, authors Aldridge and Goldman competently described this trend from a multicultural perspective in the article The Over and Underrepresentation in Special Education Programs. In the same way that both articles looked at the constancy of this trend over the last three decades, both articles also concluded with a focus on problem solving measures in the classroom, and at the school and district levels as well.
Following the persistence of this issue further, author Anthony Rebora inferred that cultural biases inside the classroom perpetuated the constancy of disproportionate provision of SPED services to minority ethnic groups (2011). Similarly, authors Aldridge and Goldman, in their article The Over and Underrepresentation in Special Education Programs, suggested that mistaken beliefs in regards to the design and implementation of multicultural education programs continue to exacerbate this issue in just the same way (2010). Initially, Aldridge and Goldman asserted that the focus of these programs “is on understanding and learning to negotiate cultural diversity…” but later on stated that multicultural pedagogy “seeks to achieve fair and equal educational opportunities for all students, particularly minorities and the economically disadvantaged” (2010). This last statement, in...
... middle of paper ...
... Goldman, and author Anthony Rebora discussed various factors that perpetuate the persistence of the disproportionate provision of services to minority ethnic groups in special education (SPED) programs over the last three decades. Both articles cited presented a plethora of well written solutions that support the use of culturally responsive curricula to meet the needs of the diverse student populations we now find in our public school systems. However, if this trend continues, the reader might conclude, as Levy and Murnane did in 1996, that “students who are unable to negotiate the "new basic skills" will be left behind in the new economy of the 21st century” (as cited in Aldridge and Goldman, 2010). Admittedly, educators are facing a monumental task. Assuredly, we will face the challenge, and, with certainty, we will elect curriculum changes for all students.
While differentiating instruction and being able to design lessons geared towards the needs of diverse learners are currently highly prized skills for teachers, this has not always been the case. The history of education in the United States is a history of segregation. Even today, schools and curriculum are designed to meet the needs of a core group of students, which does not include students with disabilities (Hitchcock, Meyer, Rose, & Jackson, 2002). In the past, learners who were different, out of the mainstream, or did not fit into the mold to which teachers taught (were not part of the core) learned how or lost out on learning. This is not to say that teachers of the past did not care about their students, about being effective teachers, or about student learning. However, as schools are mirrors reflecting mainstream societal norms (Chartock, 2010; Delpit, 2006)—and, given that our society has not always valued diversity in people, be it due to disability, class, culture, or race—teachers in the past have largely focused their efforts where they could earn the largest return on their investment: the average student .
Culturally and socioeconomic diverse students already have to overcome one stigma, but when they are placed in special education, they find their selves struggling to overcome another. If they need the support of specialized education then the eventual outcome is more beneficial than the label. One the other hand, when students are placed in special education services they do not need i...
...h identification and then through the implementation of a program such as the Intergroup Relations Program expanded on a larger scale such as the Michigan Student Study, can we decrease bias and promote cultural acceptance by implementing programs that cultivate cultural diversity and discussion in the classroom. The study proposes that the although implicit biases may exist in the DoDEA facilities, the classroom environment fosters a cultural experiential dynamic that allows minorities to flourish academically without bias for racial or ethnic differences in learning outcomes. Furthermore, implementation of diversifying programs like the IRP in a public high school can determine if greater SAT scores can be achieved by minorities who have participated in the program. Elevating the academic performance of SAT’s in minorities can provide lasting educational benefits.
The problems currently arising are “not really in the debate over instructional methodology, but rather in communicating across cultures and in addressing the more fundamental issue of power, of whose voice gets to be heard in determining what is best for poor children and children of color” (Delpit 19). Administration must be able to respectfully gather information about a student in and out of school to help understand where they need the most structure and guidance and when to let them work independely. The current educational system in place has a mold that students need to fit, and for students of lower income familys, that mold is often expects less of them so naturally, the type of schooling provided for racial minorities is [they] one that prepares them for their respective place in the job market.” (Ogbu 83). Social reproducation is not a reality that society must accept and best try to break without a complete solution, but instead one that can be broken by a refocusing and recommittment to the students that often need the most guideance and resources for them to succeed and break social
...vironments then blacks. Minority students are being over represented in special education programs. As an African American, I will need to prepare myself for my future as an educator. When I become a teacher, I may encounter a student that has difficulties keeping up with his peers. I need to know whether this student is a slow learner or a victim of the achievement gap. This research has taught me abo¬ut the factors that have disproportionately affected African-American, Latino, Asian, and other non-white students. I will use this information to contribute to both my future research and career.
A longstanding national issue that continues to concern the public is the disproportionate representation of children from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds in special education. The fact is that the proportion of minority students in the population of school-age children has risen dramatically to over 35%, which is increasing the diversity of students in many public schools throughout the nation. This makes the phenomenon of disproportionality especially troubling. With a growing population of minority children comprising a greater percentage of public school students, we must be responsive to the growing needs of an increasingly diverse society. The overrepresentation of minority students in special education has been posed as an issue for more than 3 decades, but it is worth asking whether the efforts of legislative actions, educational reforms and legal challenges have really made improvements to this issue. More importantly, disproportionality should be examined as a correlation to underlying conditions that can pose a great effect upon not only the quality of a child’s education, but also ______.
Special education is a large part of the education system, which includes the mentally retarded, people with learning disabilities, the emotionally disturbed, hearing impaired, visually impaired, etc. Many people fail to include this system as one that can possibly involve discrimination, but those enrolled in special education has increased among all racial classifications. Between 1980 and 1990, the entire population enlisted in special education has increased. European American increased by 6%, African Americans increased by 13%, Hispanic Americans increased by 53%, and Asian Americans/Pacific Americans increased by 107.8% (Ford, Obiakor, p. 8). In the end, it is these students who ultimately experience low rates of employment, low income, and growing rates of incarceration. Another survey indicates t...
Since the early 1990s numerous studies have found an overrepresentation of males, and underrepresentation of females in special education, yet until recently, research was not done to understand the cause for this outcomes. There are 14 different disability categories that are defined by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), that states use in order to define a disability and decide who is eligible for a free and appropriate public education under special education law. High incidence disabilities are disabilities that are high in prevalence such as Behavior and Emotional Disorders (EBD) and Learning Disability, which fall within the categories from IDEA regulations. These are the disabilities in which researches have found the highest discrepancies between referral and admission of males and females to special education programs. According to Rice (2008), girls with emotional disturbance make up 15% to 25% of all identified children and adolescents with disabilities, while it has been found that males make up 73.4% and 76.4% for learning and emotional disabilities (Wehmeyer, 2001).
Diversity among students including differences in culture, language and socioeconomic stance is not a new trend. The difference, however, is that today, the school system realizes that all students, including those who differ in some way from the "average" student, or those “at-risk” must be provided with an equal, opportune education (Morris, 1991).
Disproportionate identification of minority students in special education is a major concern in schools today. This paper describes the issues in the assessment process with minority students and how we have arrived at a situation where minorities are being misdiagnosed into special education programs. Additionally, several legal cases are mentioned which show numerous actions and rulings that have tried to correct the disproportionate identification in special education. Some of the legal cases discussed include Larry P. v Riles, Diana v. State Board of Education, and Guadalupe v. Tempe Elementary School, which all significantly impacted special education today. Additionally, the Individual with Disabilities Education Act has enforced that minority groups must receive an equal education in the least restrictive environment possible. It is our duty as teachers and citizens to abide by these laws and find different ways to assess and correct the disproportionality of minority groups that exists today.
“No Child Left Behind requires states and school districts to ensure that all students are learning and are reaching their highest potential. Special education students should not be left out of these accountability mechanisms” (Dianne Feinstein). Dianne Feinstein is an American politician, mayor and senator who has had an impact on the special education program in schools in which one she was named after. Special education students are often misunderstood by many, but in reality they are just like every other student, maybe even smarter. They are able to prove many people wrong about how strong and skilled they can be. Special education teachers are also able to create an impact and inspiration on others. Special
Inclusion of all students in classrooms has been an ongoing issue for the past twenty-five years (Noll, 2013). The controversy is should special education students be placed in an inclusion setting or should they be placed in a special education classroom? If the answer is yes to all special education students being placed in inclusion, then how should the inclusion model look? Every students is to receive a free an appropriate education. According to the Individual Education Act (IDEA), all students should be placed in the Least Restrictive Learning Environment (Noll, 2013).
In the 2009-2010 school year, 13.1% of the U.S. student population was in some form of special education. That data tells us that a little more than every one in ten students is in special education. This percentage is a huge jump up from the 8.3% of students in special education programs in the 1976-1977 school year (National Center). One would be right to assume the percentage has only risen since three years ago, when the percentage was calculated. Obviously, special education is a big deal.
However, it still met with inconsistent criticism due to the myth that “positive intervention” doesn’t work and draining resources of regular courses. However, evidences shown prove the opposite effect. Special education is constant need of more funding – especially when it constantly gets budget cuts from congress and thus, schools are unable to keep up with the afford to provide the necessary need of special education (Wall 2014). So the myth of special education draining resources is the no way the truth. How could they be able to drained resources from other students if the programs themselves are in limited supply? Lack of understanding and easy to become a scapegoat for the blame of overall score of a school being poor is quite easy to pit the blame. Another reasoning is due to socialization—the label of being placed in special education is rather an unfortunate burden that could follow the child (Huerta 2015). Often times, stereotypes are attached and are considered inferior to other students, potentially adding onto potential fears. In order to improve any form of education for special education, funding a provided them resources should be considered the first thing to look
According to David O. McKay (2013), multicultural education is constructed to prepare pupils for citizenship in a democratic society by facilitating them to take into account the needs of all individuals; it shed light on how issues of language, ethnicity, culture, religion race, abilities/disabilities, and gender are entwined with educational content and processes. A multicultural curriculum is needed to accommodate for diverse learning and teaching styles of facilitators and pupils and to expose biases, stereotypes, and policies that can restrict achievement. What is more, a multicultural curriculum is also needed to help pupils, faculty, and staff become advocates for multicultural awareness, to ensure that content is fair, accurate, and inclusive, and to prepare pupils for diverse workplaces and multicultural environments. In writing this paper, the author will describe key issues of culturally diverse students, recommend a curriculum approach to address the issues, and discuss the challenges and benefits expected. In addition, she will describe three key issues of male and female students recommend a curriculum approach to address the issues, and discuss the challenges and benefits expected. In closing, she will describe three key issues of students with disabilities, who are mainstreamed, recommend a curriculum approach to address the issues, and discuss the challenges and benefits expected.