Racial Inequity in Special Education, Civil Rights Project Report

Racial Inequity in Special Education
Executive Summary for Federal Policy Makers

Since its passage in 1975, the IDEA has brought tremendous benefits: today, approximately six million children with disabilities enjoy their right to a free appropriate public education. The benefits of special education, however, have not been equitably distributed. Minority children with disabilities all too often experience inadequate services, low-quality curriculum and instruction, and unnecessary isolation from their nondisabled peers. Moreover, inappropriate practices in both general and special education classrooms have resulted in overrepresentation, misclassification, and hardship for minority students, particularly black children.

Full Article available at URL: http://www.civilrightsproject.harvard.edu/research/specialed/IDEA_paper02.php

The Civil Rights Project offers parents "action kits" to teach parents how to advocate for their children. This website is very useful.

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