Trends of Exclusionary Disciplinary Actions on Children With Disabilities

• In Event: 46.016 - Minority Achievement in K–12 Education

Abstract

Disproportionality has been an issue in special education for decades. Particular children of color have been subjected to over-identification, educated in more restrictive placements and received harsh exclusionary disciplinary actions. This paper addresses the discipline disparities that exist for students with disabilities, especially those of color. The focus of this paper is to examine the disproportionality of children with disabilities, regarding harsh disciplinary actions. Risk and risk ratios were calculated for particular racial/ethnic groups for 6 years (2006-2011). Findings show trends that Black children are recipients of harsh exclusionary disciplinary actions more than other racial/ethnic groups with disabilities and they are at a greater risk of receiving punitive, exclusionary disciplinary actions.

Author

• Karen Ramlackhan, University of South Florida