The Over Identification of Minority Males in Middle School Special Education Programs: Examining the RTI Model

Authors

  • Dr. Nicole Anderson-Irish (Author) Argosy University image/svg+xml
    Nicole Irish has been an educator since 1998. Nicole began her career in education in a private school on Long Island, New York then moved into the public k-12 setting where she served in a variety of positions from Language Arts remediation teacher, to school counselor, to currently serving as a school administrator. Nicole has obtained her Masters Degree in School Counseling, Specialist in Educational Leadership and a Doctorate Degree in Educational Leadership. Nicole also works as a consultant and life coach for adolescents and adults.
https://doi.org/10.64546/jaasep.198
The purpose of this paper is to provide insight into the referral and identification rates of minority students with regard to special education. Research has shown an evident over identification of minority students in special education programs, particularly those classifications considered more severe. Several researchers identified factors such as teacher perception, teacher practices, and student factors that all contribute to the disproportionality of minority students in special education. Response to Intervention has been identified as a possible solution. Many indicate that specific schools that have implemented RTI have noticed a decrease in the disparity in the referral rate of the racial subgroups. An overview of the RTI model frequently used by these schools was reviewed, and the specific effect on the referral rate of minority students to special education was also discussed. This paper also highlights recommendations and considerations for educational leaders who wish to resolve the issue of minority over identification in special education.

Abidin, R.R. and Robinson, L. (2002). Stress, biases, or professionalism: What drives teachers’ referrals and judgment of challenging behaviors? Journal of Emotional and Behavioral Disorders, 10, 204-212. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/10634266020100040201

Anguiano, L. (2003). Under representation of minority students in gifted and talented education. Multicultural Education, 11, 32-37.

Cawelti, G. (2004). Handbook of Research on Improving Student Achievement. 3rd ed. Arlington: Educational Research Service.

Christenson, S., Dennison, A., Johnson, D., Nelson, J.R., Triezenberg, H., Ysseldyne, J. (2004). What we know and need to know about the consequences of High-Stakes Testing for students with disabilities. Council for Exceptional Children, 71, 75-94. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/001440290407100105

Clopton, J., Pearcy, M., & Pope, A.W. (1993). Influences on teacher referral of children to mental health services: Gender, severity, and internalization versus externalization of problems. Journal of Emotional and Behavioral Disorders, 1, 165-169. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/106342669300100304

Colorado Department of Education (2008). Gifted and Talented Education. RetrievedMarch 15, 2010 from http://www.cde.state.co.us/gt/

Delpit, L., Kilgour-Dowdy, J., Ladson-Billings, G. (2002). The Skin That We Speak: Thoughts on language and culture in the classroom. American Educational Research Journal, 35, 465-491.

Dykeman, B. (2005). Alternative Strategies in Assessing Special Education Needs. Education, 127, 265-273

Gallagher, J. (1995). Education of gifted students, a civil rights issue? Phi Delta Kappan, 408-410.

Harris-Murri, N., King, K., & Rostenberg, D. (2006). Reducing Disproportionate Minority Representation in Special Education Programs for Students with Emotional Disturbances: Toward a Culturally Responsive Response to Intervention Model. Education and Treatment of Children, 29, 4

Kohler, K., Ritter, S., Simmons, et al. (2006). The context of minority disproportionality: practitioner perspectives on special education referrals. Teacher College Record, 108, 1424-1460. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/016146810610800708

Kozleski, E. and Smith, A. (2005). Witnessing Brown: Pursuit of an equity agenda in American education. Remedial and Special Education, 26, 270-280. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/07419325050260050201

Lorde, A. (1983). There is no hierarchy of oppressions. Interracial Books for Children, 14, 9.

McIntyre, L., & Tong, L. (1998). Teacher standards and gender. Factors in special education referrals? Journal of Educational Research, 83, 166-172. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00220671.1990.10885950

Metroplitan Center for Urban Education (MCUE). (2008). Culturally ResponsiveClassroom Management Strategies. New York: Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development.

Milloy, M. (2003). Truth in labeling. When it comes to special education and African American kids, it’s time for truth in labeling. National Education Association, 8-11.

Minority students in special & gifted education. National Research Council of the National Academy of sciences, Retrieved April 10, 2007 from http://www.nap.edu

Naglieri, J, & Crockett, D. (2005). Response to Intervention (RTI): Is it a scientifically proven method? Communique, 34, 38-39

Naquin, G., VanderHeyDen, A., & Witt, J. (2003). Development and validation of a Process for screening referrals to special education. School Psychology Review, 32, 1-32. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/02796015.2003.12086194

National Education Association. (2007). Truth in Labeling: Disproportionality in Special Education. National Education Association & National Association of School Psychologists.

Pianta, R., Rollins, K., & Steinberg, M. (1995). The two first years of school: Teacher-Child relationships and deflections in children’s classroom adjustment. Development and Psychopathology, 7, 295-312. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0954579400006519

Ross, M., & Salvia, J. (1975). Attractiveness as a biasing factor in teacher judgments. American Journal of Mental Deficiency, 80, 96-98.

O ’ Shaughnessy, T., Lane, K., Gresham, F., Beebe-Frankenberger, A., (2003). Children Placed at Risk for Learning and Behavioral Difficulties: Implementing a School Wide System of Early Identification and Intervention. Remedial and SpecialEducation, 24, 1, 27–35. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/074193250302400103

Stoiber, I. (2006). Functional Assessment and intervention system: Focus on evidence based intervention strategies. National Association of School Psychologists, Anaheim, CA

Thompson, G. (2004). Through Ebony Eyes: What teachers need to know but are afraid to ask about African American students. Psychology in the Schools, 21, 349-355.

United States Department of Education. (2008). Building the Legacy: Idea 2004. Retrieved October 4, 2010 from http://idea.ed.gov/explore/home

There are 26 references in total.
Anderson-Irish, N. (2013). The Over Identification of Minority Males in Middle School Special Education Programs: Examining the RTI Model. Journal of the American Academy of Special Education Professionals, 8(1), 63-72. https://doi.org/10.64546/jaasep.198

Downloads

Article Information

  • Article Type Articles
  • Submitted December 23, 2012
  • Published February 15, 2013
  • Issue Winter 2013
  • Section Articles
  • File Downloads 0
  • Abstract Views 0
  • Altmetrics
  • Share
Download data is not yet available.