ERIC Number: ED628357
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2023-Apr-27
Pages: 54
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Special Education Representation Trends Vary by Language Status: Evidence of Underrepresentation in Tennessee
Jeannette Mancilla-Martinez; Min Hyun Oh; Gigi Luk; Adam Rollins
Grantee Submission
Using state-level data, we report unadjusted and adjusted odds ratio of special education (SPED) trends in Tennessee from 2009-2019 for students in grades 3-8 by 3 language groups: native English speakers (NES), English-proficient bilinguals (EPB) and Current English learners (Current EL). We report trends across all SPED disability categories and across five prevalent disability categories (specific learning disability, specific language impairment, intellectual disability, other health impairments, and autism). The cross-sectional analytic sample included 812,783 students from 28 districts that met the SPED risk-ratio threshold set by the state. Results revealed that, compared to NES students, both EPB and Current EL students were generally less likely to receive SPED services, suggesting evidence of language status disparities in SPED representation. Furthermore, findings varied depending on whether adjustments were made to generate odds ratios, especially for higher-incidence disabilities (specific, learning disability, specific language impairment, and intellectual disability). Finally, the most severe evidence of underrepresentation was in lower-incidence disabilities (other health impairments and autism). Our results underscore the need for further examination into low rates of SPED identification among learners whose first language is not English (EPB and Current EL). We discuss the contextualized research, practice, and policy implications of our findings. [This paper will be published in "Journal of Learning Disabilities."]
Descriptors: Special Education, Educational Trends, Elementary School Students, Grade 3, Grade 4, Grade 5, Grade 6, Grade 7, Grade 8, Disproportionate Representation, English, Native Speakers, English Language Learners, English (Second Language), Bilingual Students, Language Proficiency, Students with Disabilities, Access to Education
Related Records: EJ1422689
Publication Type: Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Education; Early Childhood Education; Grade 3; Primary Education; Grade 4; Intermediate Grades; Grade 5; Middle Schools; Grade 6; Grade 7; Junior High Schools; Secondary Education; Grade 8
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: Institute of Education Sciences (ED)
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Tennessee
IES Funded: Yes
Grant or Contract Numbers: R305B210008