Cultural Diversity and Special Education
Sandra Albert
Wingate University
EL 7095
Dr. Compton
Abstract
Cultural diversity is increasing in our schools and directly affects how we work with students with disabilities. There is also a disproportionate representation of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CLD) students in special education (Chu, 2011). The following paper will explore cultural diversity and the special education referral process including implementation of Response to Intervention (RtI). It will also assess some of the data in Mooresville Graded Schools by looking at gender, race and disability at the elementary level. By understanding the cultural diversity in our school system we can better meet the needs of
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In order to do this we must recognize what being culturally proficient means and model that in all our interactions in our community. By addressing cultural needs and building on personal experiences, our staff and students will gain a greater appreciation for other cultures and be able to work and live in our global society. “We must first comprehend the fact that children-all children-come to school motivated to enlarge their culture. But we must start with their culture….” (Garcia, 1999 p.8 as cited in Lindsey et al, 2013) This statement is true for all students especially students with disabilities as educators build upon student strengths and personal experiences to make connections between school, home and community.
Assessing the cultural diversity in our exceptional children’s department is important for several reasons. First, we need look at the referral process and ensure that there isn’t a disproportionate representation of students with culturally diverse backgrounds in special education. Secondly, we need to assess whether the students who are receiving special education services, are doing so using appropriate culturally relevant tools and instructional techniques. Finally, we need to make sure we are communicating appropriately with the parents and other family members of all our
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Additionally, of the twenty four students with autism only three were female which is consistent with the research on autism identification. Males and females learn differently regardless of disability and parent expectations of their children may also vary due to gender and disability (McDermott, 2008). It’s important to understand the learning styles of the two genders and the needs that the disability presents so that teachers can make instructional
Incorporating the culture of the disabled into the culturally responsive classroom and curriculum will help these students feel accepted and welcomed into the class. This in turn will help them become successful academically. Teachers can do so by learning about the history of their students’ culture and creating instructional strategies that meet their diverse needs and abilities; demonstrating values and using techniques that include rather than exclude disabled students; and maintaining high but appropriate expectations. Teachers can create culturally responsive curriculum by using materials that are free of bias and stereotypes as well as finding ways to include different cultures and learning styles into every lesson possible. An effective teacher is one who can master the skill of culturally responsive
A longstanding national issue that continues to concern the public is the disproportionate representation of children from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds in special education. The fact is that the proportion of minority students in the population of school-age children has risen dramatically to over 35%, which is increasing the diversity of students in many public schools throughout the nation. This makes the phenomenon of disproportionality especially troubling. With a growing population of minority children comprising a greater percentage of public school students, we must be responsive to the growing needs of an increasingly diverse society. The overrepresentation of minority students in special education has been posed as an issue for more than 3 decades, but it is worth asking whether the efforts of legislative actions, educational reforms and legal challenges have really made improvements to this issue. More importantly, disproportionality should be examined as a correlation to underlying conditions that can pose a great effect upon not only the quality of a child’s education, but also ______.
The authors of this article begin by defining autism spectrum disorder. There has been significant increase in ASD cases have occurred in the past 10 years, and many of these students are enrolling in a higher education institution. Autism presents challenges, in general, but students that enroll in a higher education institution are at risk of other issues. The article discusses these challenges as well as the transition from high school to college from actual students with autism. Using these challenges,
Morgan, P. L., Farkas, G., Hillemeier, M., & Maczuga, S. (2012, December). Are minority children disproportionately represented in early intervention and early childhood special education? Educational Researcher, 41(9), 339-351.
Special education is a large part of the education system, which includes the mentally retarded, people with learning disabilities, the emotionally disturbed, hearing impaired, visually impaired, etc. Many people fail to include this system as one that can possibly involve discrimination, but those enrolled in special education has increased among all racial classifications. Between 1980 and 1990, the entire population enlisted in special education has increased. European American increased by 6%, African Americans increased by 13%, Hispanic Americans increased by 53%, and Asian Americans/Pacific Americans increased by 107.8% (Ford, Obiakor, p. 8). In the end, it is these students who ultimately experience low rates of employment, low income, and growing rates of incarceration. Another survey indicates t...
Richards, H., V., Brown, A., F., Forde, T., B. (2006). Addressing diversity in schools: culturally responsive pedagogy. Retreived March 30th 2014from http://www.nccrest.org/Briefs/Diversity_Brief.pdf
Snell, M. E. (2003). Autism, Education of Individuals with. In J. W. Guthrie (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Education (2nd ed., Vol. 1, pp. 161-162). New York: Macmillan Reference USA.
Standard 1.1 discusses how special education teachers need to understand how language, culture, and family background influences the learning of students with exceptionalities. Standard 4.3 discusses how teachers should collaborate with other teachers and parents to use multiple types of assessment information in making decisions. Standard 5.5 discusses the transition plans they have to implement in collaboration with the students, families, and teachers. Standard 6.3 discusses how teachers understand that diversity is a part of families, cultures, and schools, and that they can interact with the delivery of special education services. Standard 7.0 discusses the collaborations that teachers need to start having with families, educators, and related service providers. 7.3 discusses the promotion of collaborations for the well-being of the individuals with exceptionalities. These standards show what the teacher is beginning to do with the families that have a child with
Diversity among students including differences in culture, language and socioeconomic stance is not a new trend. The difference, however, is that today, the school system realizes that all students, including those who differ in some way from the "average" student, or those “at-risk” must be provided with an equal, opportune education (Morris, 1991).
Disproportionate identification of minority students in special education is a major concern in schools today. This paper describes the issues in the assessment process with minority students and how we have arrived at a situation where minorities are being misdiagnosed into special education programs. Additionally, several legal cases are mentioned which show numerous actions and rulings that have tried to correct the disproportionate identification in special education. Some of the legal cases discussed include Larry P. v Riles, Diana v. State Board of Education, and Guadalupe v. Tempe Elementary School, which all significantly impacted special education today. Additionally, the Individual with Disabilities Education Act has enforced that minority groups must receive an equal education in the least restrictive environment possible. It is our duty as teachers and citizens to abide by these laws and find different ways to assess and correct the disproportionality of minority groups that exists today.
One of the most difficult things teachers will face when dealing with Autistic children is their lack of communication skills and inappropriate or nonexistent social skills. In addition to academic instruction children with Autism require instruction in communication techniques and social skills. Kamps et.al. says “A key to accommodating students with autism in public school settings is the provision of social and behavioral programming to develop meaningful participation with nondisabled persons” (p.174).
Diversity in classrooms can open student’s minds to all the world has to offer. At times diversity and understanding of culture, deviant experiences and perspectives can be difficult to fulfill, but with appropriate strategies and resources, it can lead students to gain a high level of respect for those unlike them, preferably from a judgmental and prejudiced view. Diversity has a broad range of spectrums. Students from all across the continent; students from political refugees, indigenous Americans, and immigrants bring their cultural and linguistic skills to American classrooms. Students not only bring their cultural and linguistic skills, but they bring their ethnicity, talents, and skills.
The world is currently undergoing a cultural change, and we live in an increasingly diverse society. This change is not only affect the people in the community but also affect the way education is viewed. Teaching diversity in the classroom and focusing multicultural activities in the programs can help improve positive social behavior in children. There is no question that the education must be prepared to embrace the diversity and to teach an increasingly diverse population of young children.
When evaluating myself on the Cultural Proficiency continuum, I’d place myself at “Cultural Competence” part on the continuum. This evaluation takes into account my experiences and practices while working in various schools and interacting with students of varied cultures, needs and ability levels as both a teacher and a learner. An effective educator is continually maintaining this dual role of teacher and life-long student in order to not grow stagnant within the classroom; this dynamic allows for growth along the continuum toward maintaining cultural proficiency.
There are many factors that play a role in the learning process for every human being. Race, religion, language, socioeconomics, gender, family structure, and disabilities can all affect the ways in which we learn. Educators must take special measures in the delivery of classroom instruction to celebrate the learning and cultural differences of each of their students. As communities and schools continue to grow in diversity, teachers are searching for effective educational programs to accommodate the various learning styles of each student while promoting acceptance of cultural differences throughout the classroom. It no longer suffices to plan educational experiences only for middle-or upper class white learners and then expect students of other social classes and cultures to change perspectives on motivation and competition, learning styles, and attitudes and values that their homes and families have instilled in them (Manning & Baruth, 2009).