Black children are currently underrepresented in the less stigmatized and more prestigious special education classes for learning disabled students. Learning disabilities classification procedures discriminate against Black children. Ohio's placement formula is critiqued, and parents are urged to become politically active on their children's…

Recent surveys of elementary and secondary schools regarding student enrollment and placement in special education suggest overrepresentation of blacks in classes for educable or trainable mentally retarded and seriously emotionally disturbed students. Underrepresentation of Blacks, Hispanics, and American Indians was observed in gifted and…

Examines the relationship between the underrepresentation of Black students in gifted education and particular school-related and socioeconomic-status-related variables. Suggests that the recruitment of additional Black teachers and investigation of alternatives to present placement practices can achieve proportional Black student representation…

Asks whether special education is designed to keep African-American boys out of the mainstream of education and also looks at questions of a passive conspiracy to destroy African-American males and the role of racism. Discusses special education legislation, and argues that African-American boys are not being adequately educated. (JB)

Overrepresentation of minorities in special education has been a problem for 25 years and was targeted by the Office of Civil Rights as an initiative in 1993. One rural southeastern state examined its special education process from referral to placement to determine if procedures significantly overidentified or underidentified a particular racial…