Radical Discourse: Interrupting Inequities (RECORDING)

In this keynote presentation, Dr. Gregory Peters addresses the question, "What radical discourse is necessary to interrupt and transform disproportionality in our schools?" Dr. Peters spoke at the Equity Symposium presented by the State Performance Plan Technical Assistance Project that was funded by the California Department of Education, Special Education Division, and co-hosted by Student Involvement and the Chicano and Latino Studies departments at Sonoma State University. The Equity Symposium was held October 18, 2018.

Citation/Source

Peters, Gregory. 2018. "Radical Discourse: Interrupting Inequities." State Performance Plan Technical Assistance Project.

Publication Date  2024

Pursuing Equity: Disproportionality in Special Education and the Reframing of Technical Solutions to Address Systemic Inequities (ARTICLE)

In an effort to reconceptualize how disproportionality should be addressed to impart organizational transformation, Fergus, Kramarczuk, and Voulgarides suggest moving beyond a focus on technical interventions.

Citation/Source

Fergus, Edward, Kramarczuk Voulgarides, and King-Thorius, Kathleen. 2017. “Pursuing Equity: Disproportionality in Special Education and the Reframing of Technical Solutions to Address Systemic Inequities.” Review of Research in Education 41, 61-87.

Publication Date  2024

Unproven Links: Can Poverty Explain Ethnic Disproportionality in Special Education? (ARTICLE)

Considers the degree to which poverty contributes to disproportionality in special education.

Citation/Source

Russell J. Skiba et al. (2005) The Journal of Special Education.

Publication Date  2024

(The) Special EDge (PDF)

Newsletter addressing legal, policy, and human aspects of disproportionate representation.

Citation/Source

California Department of Education (2010).

Publication Date  2024

Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) Topic Brief and Links to Discussion Guides, Disproportionality and Overidentification (WEBSITE)

Click on each of the regulation titles to find questions for leading dialogue.

Citation/Source

Click on each of the regulation titles to find questions for leading dialogue.

Publication Date  2024

DataQuest (WEBSITE)

Searchable database makes available California district-level annual performance report measures for special education. Contains data collected from each indicator and performance measures but not the local compliance determination. Any inquires from the general public regarding local district determinations should be directed to the local school district.

Citation/Source

Searchable database makes available California district-level annual performance report measures for special education. Contains data collected from each indicator and performance measures but not the local compliance determination. Any inquires from the general public regarding local district determinations should be directed to the local school district.

Publication Date  2024

OSEP Symposium on Significant Disproportionality (WEBSITE)

The OSEP Symposium on Significant Disproportionality explored why this is an important topic for all of us as we work to ensure that children with disabilities, regardless of race or ethnicity, are provided educational services and accommodations that enable and prepare them for post-school education and career opportunities. The Symposium presentations highlighted the key topics from a national perspective, framed the importance of this issue for all OSEP grantees, and provided some examples of practices and strategies that help address significant disproportionality. In addition to the live event, numerous resources related to significant disproportionality have been posted for participants to use as they prepared for the event and as resources to improve services and conditions for children with disabilities in States, districts, schools, and programs.

Citation/Source

The OSEP Symposium on Significant Disproportionality explored why this is an important topic for all of us as we work to ensure that children with disabilities, regardless of race or ethnicity, are provided educational services and accommodations that enable and prepare them for post-school education and career opportunities. The Symposium presentations highlighted the key topics …

Publication Date  2024

Why Are So Many Minority Students in Special Education? Understanding Race & Disability in Schools, 2nd Edition (BOOK)

The book provides a qualitative look into how disproportionality manifests in schools. It is useful for practitioners who want to understand how daily practices contribute to inequitable outcomes.

Citation/Source

Harry, Beth, and Klinger, Janette. Why Are So Many Minority Students in Special Education? Understanding Race & Disability in Schools, 2nd ed. 2014. New York: Teachers College Press.

Publication Date  2024

Solving Disproportionality and Achieving Equity: A Leader’s Guide to Using Data to Change Hearts and Minds (BOOK)

Through this work, the author hopes educators will identify what creates barriers for student success by analyzing data to help create pathways for schools to provide equitable service to all students. Included are tools for data collection and progress monitoring.

Citation/Source

Fergus, Edward. 2017. Solving Disproportionality and Achieving Equity: A Leader's Guide to Using Data to Change Hearts and Minds. California: Corwin Press.

Publication Date  2024

Race, Inequality and Educational Accountability: The Irony of “No Child Left Behind” (ARTICLE)

The article explores how the No Child Left Behind Act, a well intentioned law, has led to unintended consequences that have further marginalized the students it intended to help. The article is relevant to practice because it provides insight into how broad educational reforms can be perverted in practice and offers practitioners a bird’s eye view of how policy can perpetuate, rather than mitigate, inequalities.  

Citation/Source

Darling-Hammond, L. “Race, Inequality and Educational Accountability: The Irony of "No Child Left Behind". Race, Ethnicity and Education, 10(3), 2007: 245-260.

Publication Date  2024

The State Performance Plan Technical Assistance Project is a program of the Napa County Office of Education.

NCOE Logo File

Funding Information

California Department of Education, Special Education Division’s special project, State Performance Plan Technical Assistance Project (SPP-TAP) is funded through a contract with the Napa County Office of Education. SPP-TAP is funded from federal funds, (State Grants #H027A080116) provided from the U.S. Department of Education Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Opinions expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the position of the U.S. Department of Education.

Close Search Window