Dream Catchers Project: Are Cultural Liaisons the Key to Reducing Disproportionality in Special Education Assessment?

• In Event: 18.072 - Roundtable Session 6
  In Roundtable Session: 18.072-2 - Indigenous Methodologies and Praxis: Case Studies of Educational Success

Abstract

Minnesota is home to approximately 21,000 American Indian (AI) k-12 students across 11 tribal nations. Although American Indian students represent just 2.4% of the k-12 student population (Minnesota Report Card, 2015), they are disproportionally represented in behavior referrals, suspensions and expulsions, and in special education The goal of the Dream Catchers Project is to ensure that all American Indian students who receive a behavior observation as part of special education eligibility or for a behavior plan/manifestation determination have at least one observation that is conducted by an Indian Education staff person and, if possible, in a cultural setting. This paper will present the results of the first year of this pilot project, as well as plans for future expansion.

Authors

• Donna R. Patterson, Augsburg College

• Govinda Budrow, Nay Ah Shing Schools