Voices Beyond the Numbers: A Systematic Review of Qualitative Studies of Disproportionality in Special Education

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session 5
  In Roundtable Session: Placement and Disproportionality in Special Education

Abstract

The field of special education has voiced concerns about the disproportionality of diverse students identified for special education services for decades. However, recent literature has suggested that the issue of disproportionality has been misrepresented by districts, and questions have been raised on the validity of the existing federal data. The present study reports a systematic review of qualitative articles to highlight findings in the literature to contextualize current quantitative data and provide a different perspective to the state of disproportionality in special education in the U.S. Results of this systematic review show the over- and under-representation of students of color in special education according to the voices of educators, family members, and other professionals supporting these students.

Authors

• Brenda L. Barrio, University of North Texas

• Sarah Ferguson, Rowan University

• Katrina A. Hovey, Western Oregon University

• Peter Boedeker, Baylor College of Medicine

• Benita Kluttz-Drye, Rowan University