One of the most controversial discussions pertaining to the United States’ public education system is the disparity with minority student placement for Special Education programs. In many research articles, it is quite evident that minority students—specifically African American students—are simultaneously found to be overrepresented in the special education program and underrepresented in gifted programs. Actually, Losen and Orfield (2002) state that African American students only accounts for 14.8% of the population however, they comprise 20% of the special education placement. In the same way, an analytical report from the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights (2002) indicates that minority students represent approximately
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He initially identified problems that prejudice minority students faced, and explained how they were affected by the educational system. Countless black students were being labeled as having special needs and were allocated to specialized classrooms. In an effort to seek resources offering assistance to these learners, the notion of implementing special education placement surfaced. Over the years, assigning African American students to special education programs continued to be prevalent throughout schools and ultimately contributed to the emergent overrepresentation predicament seen today. As it became a huge problem, it raised red flags regarding educational, civil, and legal …show more content…
They are more likely to contribute to the negative stereotypes and statistical reports that cause drawbacks in the country’s development. Zabel and Nigro (1999) also discovered in their study, that adolescent lawbreakers had some special education involvement. Again, their research reiterates that the overbearing placement of African American students in these programs has crippling effects. Academically disadvantaged students are liable to lower job positions and wages, higher rates of poverty and crimes leading to arrests, increased rates of school dropouts and poor college attendance, poor health conditions leading to lower quantity and quality of life, and lower socioeconomic security (Frazier, 2009). Minority students are less likely to improve academically or leave the special education program. They are susceptible to face the aforementioned consequences; permanently living a life of challenges and oppression (Blanchett, 2006).
The overrepresentation of African Americans in special education is quite evident in this society and there are some strong historical links and dire consequences because of it. Many minority students are falling victim to a broken educational system and they will continue to be involved if there are no educational program reforms and interventions playing an active role to promote severe
He initially identified problems that prejudice minority students faced, and explained how they were affected by the educational system. Countless black students were being labeled as having special needs and were allocated to specialized classrooms. In an effort to seek resources offering assistance to these learners, the notion of implementing special education placement surfaced. Over the years, assigning African American students to special education programs continued to be prevalent throughout schools and ultimately contributed to the emergent overrepresentation predicament seen today. As it became a huge problem, it raised red flags regarding educational, civil, and legal …show more content…
They are more likely to contribute to the negative stereotypes and statistical reports that cause drawbacks in the country’s development. Zabel and Nigro (1999) also discovered in their study, that adolescent lawbreakers had some special education involvement. Again, their research reiterates that the overbearing placement of African American students in these programs has crippling effects. Academically disadvantaged students are liable to lower job positions and wages, higher rates of poverty and crimes leading to arrests, increased rates of school dropouts and poor college attendance, poor health conditions leading to lower quantity and quality of life, and lower socioeconomic security (Frazier, 2009). Minority students are less likely to improve academically or leave the special education program. They are susceptible to face the aforementioned consequences; permanently living a life of challenges and oppression (Blanchett, 2006).
The overrepresentation of African Americans in special education is quite evident in this society and there are some strong historical links and dire consequences because of it. Many minority students are falling victim to a broken educational system and they will continue to be involved if there are no educational program reforms and interventions playing an active role to promote severe