Educator Perceptions of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students and Special Education

• In Event: Roundtable Session 9
  In Roundtable Session: Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students and Special Education: Perceptions of Inclusion and Parental Involvement Policy

Abstract

The paper discusses the use of a survey to investigate educator perception of disproportionality of culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) students in special education. A total of 439 surveys from 13 elementary campuses in South Texas were collected. Three way ANOVA analysis indicate that educators in the study did not perceive CLD students to be over-represented in special education in ‘subjective’ disability categories. Differences were noted based on race/ethnicity and job position, but not years of experience. Findings support the need for collaboration among all educators in meeting the needs of CLD students in order to address the long standing problem of disproportionate representation.

Author

• Norma A. Guzman, Texas A&M University - Kingsville