This three-part report demonstrates that a large subgroup of students with disabilities are not getting their needs met; describes the school experiences of these students in relation to exclusionary discipline, referral to law enforcement, and chronic absenteeism; and indicates how the pandemic is exacerbating pre-existing inequitable conditions. The report concludes with recommendations for federal policymakers.
Losen, D. J., Martinez, P., & Shin, G.H.R. 2021. Disabling Inequity: The Urgent Need for Race-Conscious Resource Remedies. The Center for Civil Rights Remedies at the Civil Rights Project, UCLA: Los Angeles, CA. https://www.civilrightsproject.ucla.edu/research/k-12-education/special-education/disabling-inequity-the-urgent-need-for-race-conscious-resource-remedies
This exploratory study occurred in Title 1 schools located within a large urban area. The sample included 23 general educators and 551 students in second through fifth grade, with 57 students identified as at risk for an emotional or behavioral disorder. The purpose of this study was to determine (a) to what extent general education teachers used evidence-based practices—specifically, opportunities to respond, positive specific feedback, and precorrections—during classroom instruction, and (b) if those practices occurred at different rates across demographic groups (i.e., race and disability risk). The results indicated that teachers used higher rates of opportunities to respond and positive specific feedback with students not at risk compared with at-risk students. We did not find main effects of race or race-by-disability risk interaction effects. These findings support the need to continue examining teachers’ differing uses of evidence-based practices.
Green, A. L., Lewis, T. J., & Olsen, A. A. (2020). General Education Teachers’ Use of Evidence-Based Practices: Examining the Role of Student Race and Risk Status. Behavioral Disorders, 45(3), 183–192
This report is the first of three on policy solutions to improve all students' opportunities to learn. Its data shows that in all kinds of schools- rural, suburban, and urban - students in schools with high enrollment of color have less access to certificated and experienced teachers than their white peers. The report concludes with policy recommendations to closing gaps in student access to certified and experienced teachers.
Cardichon, J., Darling-Hammond, L., Yang, M., Scott, C., Shields, P.M., Burns, D. 2020. Inequitable Opportunity to Learn: Student Access to Certified and Experienced Teachers
https://learningpolicyinstitute.org/sites/default/files/product-files/CRDC_Teacher_Access_REPORT.pdf
This national study provides a comprehensive analysis of the instructional days lost due to out-of-school suspensions in 2015-16 for middle and high school students The study demonstrates how the frequent use of suspensions contributes to stark inequities in the opportunity to learn. This study will help you understand the impact on every social group and students with disabilities.
Losen, D.J., Martinez, P. 2020. Lost Opportunities: How Disparate School Discipline Continues to Drive Differences in the Opportunity to Learn. Los Angeles, California: The Civil Rights Project.
https://www.civilrightsproject.ucla.edu/research/k-12-education/school-discipline/lost-opportunities-how-disparate-school-discipline-continues-to-drive-differences-in-the-opportunity-to-learn#:~:text=Info-,Lost%20Opportunities%3A%20How%20Disparate%20Schoo
Due to bias within the education system (including within assessments and academic and other policies), students of color can be misidentified as needing special education, and are then placed in more restrictive settings and experience harsher discipline because of the intersectionality of race and special education. This brief summarizes the literature and latest research on disproportionality in special education and offers changes in policy and practice that can reduce significant disproportionality in schools.
Citation: National Center for Learning Disabilities. 2023. Significant Disproportionality in Special Education: Current Trends and Actions for Impact. Washington, DC: National Center for Learning Disabilities.
This article discusses the overrepresentation of Latinx students in special education. It discusses the root causes of significant disproportionality for Latinx students, pre-referral process and data collection, deficit oriented perspectives and building relationships with student and families.
Lueimo, P., Bindreiff, D. 2021. The disproportionality of Latinx students in Special Education: The growing need to build relationships. Leadership Magazine. Sacramento, California: Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) https://leadership.acsa.org/jan-feb-2021
This series of articles on Inequities in schools takes a close look at some schools and districts that are engaging in hard work of embracing the goals of equity and turning them into action steps that are benefiting students. The articles discuss that black, Hispanic or low-income students schools may not have the same advanced courses as white, more affluent peers, teachers with long track records of effective teaching or are more likely to face harsher discipline. Articles: 1. In Pursuit of Equity 2. Data Reveal Deep Inequalities in Schools 3. How Onw District is Raising Math Rigor and Achievement for Students of Color 4. Access to Quality PD Is an Equity Issue, Teachers Say 5. The Simple Policy Change That's Getting More Students of Color in Advanced Courses 6. The Art of Making Science Accessible and Relevant to All Students
Samuel, C.A., Schwartz, S., Blad, E., Gewertz, C. 2020. Uprooting Inequities in Schools. Bethesda, Maryland: Education Week http://e-news.edweek.org/hostedemail/email.htm?CID=41632109141&ch=555AE40C00CA2111F027762D339E115D&h=090c7478f5f0b706ad27de4da5c61b08&ei=7f7OBGlxN&st=04-MAR-20
This article discusses the reform efforts of California school districts to reduce the suspension rate of students of color, especially African American Students. Suspension data from 2018-19 is broken down by race and ethnicity. Restorative Justice Programs are discussed as successful programs to reduce suspensions. Use of LCAP funds to develop programs and increase staff to support students is outlined.
Jones, Carolyn. 2020. Years of reform efforts contribute to declining African-American suspension rates in California. Oakland, California: EdSource.
https://edsource.org/2020/african-american-suspension-rate-drops-in-california-after-years-of-reform-efforts/621970
