Why Is Disproportionality a Problem?
When schools have higher numbers of certain ethnic or minority students enrolled in special education that they should have by statistical standards, it signals the possibility that some of the students may not be truly disabled and may have been incorrectly identified. There may also be under-representation of minorities in gifted education.
Causes
Disproportionality may be caused by:
Prevent children from reaching their academic potentialFuel negative stereotypes regarding minority groupsResult in a type of racial profiling that places minority students at a disadvantage throughout their school yearResult in lowered expectations among teachers, parents, and the students themselvesPrevent schools from recognizing the need to adjust curriculum and teaching methods to reach a broad range of instructional needs of a diverse student body
Failure to recognize and accommodate cultural differences among minority groups; Use of inappropriate assessment strategies for English Language Learners and racial and ethnic minorities; Failure to accommodate parents of students with Limited English Proficiency or language minorities; and Lack of responsiveness to cultural and socioeconomic differences among children and their families.
