Homelessness is a condition that is intersectional with the educational experiences and outcomes of youth. This brief highlights state and school officials’ perspectives to examine relevant challenges, policies, and practices related to the youth homelessness crisis. In addition to identifying pertinent challenges, participants provided insights into established and emerging practices and approaches that have been effective in meeting the needs of homeless youth.
Dumas, T., James, A., and Bishop, J. (2023). No Shame or Stigmas: Prioritizing Students Experiencing Homelessness in Long Beach Unified and Monterey County. California MTSS Research Consortium, UCLA Center for the Transformation of Schools. Accessed September 5, 2023.
This CDE-approved tool guides the examination of LEA practices once data suggest that serious and inappropriate disproportionate referral, identification, and placement of students who are culturally and linguistically diverse may be occurring. This rubric is ideal for mid to large size districts and supports their completion of a district-wide self-assessment and strategic planning process.
Kozleski, E., Zion, S. Preventing DISPROPORTIONALITY by Strengthening District Policies and Procedures — An Assessment and Strategic Planning Process. National Center for Culturally Responsive Educational Systems, 2006.
This two-page document designed for family and community members articulates the value that the Office of Special Education Programs places on involving affected communities such as children with disabilities and their families, educators, education agency staff, researchers, policymakers, and advocacy groups in defining criteria for determining significant disproportionality. This ensures that families and community partners have a say in identifying Local Education Agencies (LEAs) with significant disproportionality. Additionally, addressing significant disproportionality requires a comprehensive examination of LEA policies, practices, and procedures, with families and community partners contributing to identifying the causes and solutions for disproportionality.
Citation: The Data Center for Addressing Significant Disproportionality. 2023. “Significant Disproportionality: For Families and Communities.” https://dcasd.org/resources/SigDisproIntro-Parents.pdf (accessed, June 14, 2024).
