Disproportionate number of minorities and the poor in Special Education
Special Education is my passion. For so long there have been so many injustices in how students are referred to and placed in special education programs. There is a higher number of minority and low income students in special education programs. What is really alarming is that there are very low numbers of these same students in gifted and talented programs. That sterotype needs to be eliminated and the real issue addressed. My father grew up in a single parent home in the 40’s and 50’s in the segregated south. He went on to earn his master’s degree in ethnic studies and music and worked as a college professor until his death in 1990. Today in our so-called “integrated schools” based on his family arrangement the chances of him being placed in a special education program would have been high. As an educator I have a real problem with this….I found an interesting article I wanted to share from http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/060208/met_285279469.shtml
5 Comments »
About
- Dredlocked Mama
I am a graduate student and new teacher working on credentials in special education moderate-to-severe disablities, mild-to-moderate disabilities, and a multiple subjects credential. After more than 15 years in healthcare, I am transitioning into to education. I can say that with all the sacrifices I have had to make in order to make the change, it has been one of the most rewarding experiences in my life. I live in Northern California with my 21 year old daughter who is also a student, and our very spoiled Persian cat Penny.
-
-
Flickr Photos
More Photos
Subscribe here
-
Technorati
-
-
-
Coletha Online by Coletha Browning is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 United States License.
Based on a work at www.colethaonline.com. Fuel My Blog
Every student deserves a “special” education well suited to that student’s apptitude for success. One size education model does not appropriately fit all students. The Twilight’s Last Gleaming On Public Education is an intriguing, socially relevant, and enlightening story, which possesses many of the elements commonly found in just about every school system throughout the United States. I recommend this book as must reading for every parent and grand-parent of school aged children in America, as well as students enrolled in university level schools of education. The author constructs a fascinating story, with a plot that contains more than a few strategically placed, unexpected twists that should maintain the reader’s interest throughout. The story examines the potential, challenges, and obstacles that currently litter the public education landscape. Check it out for yourself. You may view a portion of this book online by contacting the publisher at http://www.Xlibris.com, clicking on their Bookstore link, then Searching by title. You’ll be glad you did.
Comment by edbooked | June 25, 2008 |
Edbooked – You’re right I did enjoy reading an insert from the book. It gives a perspective from an educator’s point of view regarding someone working in a system with overwhelming odds. I also appreciated seeing the effects of a totally different dilemma “bright flight”, which I as a parent could really relate too. This is a book I would be interested in adding to my bookshelf. Thank you for sharing. Coletha B.
Comment by cocobees | June 25, 2008 |
Hi, cocobees. I definitely agree that there are a disproportionate number of minorities represented in special education.
I have worked in 4 of the 8 mini districts in L.A.U.S.D. and can definitely see the disparity.
As a special ed teacher, it feel it is my duty to exit as many students out of special ed as I can.
I hope to be one of the equalizers. I give my students so many strategies to work with. I let them know that just because everyone sees them as different, that they don’t have to.
I can’t wait for you to get your own classroom so that you too can be one of the great equalizers.
Comment by Leila | June 26, 2008 |
Hi, cocobees. I definitely agree that there are a disproportionate number of minorities represented in special education.
I have worked in 4 of the 8 mini districts in L.A.U.S.D. and can definitely see the disparity.
As a special ed teacher, it feel it is my duty to exit as many students out of special ed as I can.
I hope to be one of the equalizers. I give my students so many strategies to work with. I let them know that just because everyone sees them as different, that they don’t have to.
I can’t wait for you to get your own classroom so that you too can be one of the great equalizers.
Comment by Leila | June 26, 2008 |
Thank you Leila, I will start in my own classroom in the Fall. I am both anxious and excited. I hope to learn from teachers like you that do provide their students with strategies to work with.
Comment by cocobees | June 26, 2008 |