Disproportionality Researching the Overrepresentation of...

Introduction This paper focuses on the overrepresentation or over-identification of minority students found in special education in our schools. I chose to research this topic because being an immigrant myself, I can relate to the education experience of a student who is new to the American school system. Debates on the overrepresentation of minority students, particularly African- Americans and Hispanics are not new in special education and have characterized research in this field for over three decades. Regardless of time, legislative debate and a great amount of research theories, this problem remains. â€Å"In general, research has supported the public concern but the picture is unclear because studies have varied so much with†¦show more content†¦Dunn argued that the identification and placement in special education of socioculturally deprived children with mild learning problems was of concern because of the nature of these settings, the questionable benefits of these placements and the detrimental effects of labeling. Since 1968, the Office of Civil Rights (OCR) has received and investigated complaints associated with placement of minority students for mental retardation and serious emotional disturbance; equal access of minority students to pre-referral programs, lack of access to minority students to general education programs and issues associated with students with limited English proficiency. According to the 22nd annual report to congress (2003), African-American students are overrepresented in 9 or 13 disability categories: specific learning disabilities, speech and language impairments, mental retardation, emotional disturbance, multiple disabilities, hearing impairments, autism, traumatic brain injury, and developmental delay. Meanwhile, Hispanic students exceed population estimates in 3 categories: specific learning disabilities, hearing impairments, and orthopedic impairments. Accounting for Overrepresentation The data provided shows that an overrepresentation of minority students exists in special education. One of the main reasons for this overrepresentation has to do with the variation of studies on this topic. Differences have been noted inShow MoreRelatedSpecial Education Leadership Plan For Minority Students3228 Words   |  13 Pages Avoiding the Overrepresentation of Minority Students in Special Education Special Education Leadership Plan Pauline Holder University of West Georgia Avoiding the Overrepresentation of Minority Students in Special Education In the article The overrepresentation of African American students in special education, Fanion (2010) suggests some of Georgia’s public schools are struggling when it comes to the placement of minorities in special education (Fanion, 2010). Fanion (2010) suggests