The Nexus of Race, Ability, and Place in One Urban School District: Mapping for Reform

• In Event: Hilton Roundtable Session 19
  In Roundtable Session: The Nexus of Geography and Race in Education Policy

Abstract

This presentation shares the results of a University-Urban School District partnership to analyze and map district special education data to inform decision-making for increasing access to general education placements and improving outcomes for students with disabilities (SWD). Using GIS mapping methods and a Critical Race Spatial Analysis and DisCrit framework, we concentrate on mapping geographic trends at the nexus of demographics, educational environment, and service delivery models for SWD in one Urban School District. We also used Moran’s I-index to calculate (1) clusters of attendance for SWD and (2) clusters related to students with autism, Intellectual, Emotional, and Specific Learning disabilities and the Kriging interpolation method to predict the likelihood of attendance for geographic quadrants in this Urban District.

Authors

• Julia M. White, Syracuse University

• Qiu Wang, Syracuse University

• Meghan E Cosier, Chapman University

• Christine Elaine Ashby, Syracuse University

• Siqi Li, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry

• Amy Evans, Syracuse City School District

• Paul Bern, Syracuse University