Ontario's current education system is struggling with the task of fully including children with disabilities in the regular classrooms of their neighbourhood school. While many educators understand that it is wrong to deny admission to publicly funded schools because the child may be Black or female, they nonetheless feel that segregation of…

This closing article discusses the impact of ethics, power, and privilege on the schooling of African American learners and other learners of color. The role of teacher education programs and the need to make ethical decisions about how we prepare teachers and school leaders for educating minority students is addressed. (CR)

This introductory article discusses the extent to which teacher education, leadership development, school arrangements, and disciplinary practices affect African American learners with disabilities. It urges educators to engage in critical self-reflection to examine their ethical and sociopolitical philosophy and practices that privilege some…

In South Africa, the policy of separate development means that there are four educational systems (for Whites, Blacks, Asians, and "Coloureds"). The disparities among these systems clearly favour the dominant minority group. Reflecting the same disparities and inequalities, special education is a matter of separating rather than…

A review of 10 studies on the rates of referral for intervention or assessment of students from three racial groups (Caucasian, African American, and Hispanic), found the mean risk ratios comparing the referral rates between African American and Caucasian students were significantly different from zero. (Contains references.) (Author/CR)

This introductory article describes following articles that address issues of ethics, power, and privilege within the context of educating African American learners with disabilities and those who are gifted and talented, and the path educators can follow in order to incorporate properly these perspectives into their practice and research. (CR)

This article explores how pre-existing structures within the educational system impede the academic achievement of many African-American learners and contribute to low self-concept, mislabeling, and placement in lower academic tracks. Methodologies and strategies needed to change these practices and/or to limit their ill effects are suggested.…

This article reflects on previous articles (EC 624 620-621) that explore how pre-existing structures within the educational system impede the academic achievement of many African-American learners. It urges more educators to be willing to critique school practices and to seek understanding of African American culture in order to alter teacher,…

This article addresses educators' ethical responsibility for recognizing the inherent dignity and worth of African American students with disabilities. It opens with a brief overview of multicultural education and continues with a three-pronged model for addressing multicultural competencies: awareness, knowledge, and skills. Strategies for…

An analysis of data from three federal reports indicates American Indian/Alaskan Native and African American students were over represented in high-incidence disabilities (i.e., emotional and behavioral disorders, learning disabilities, and mental retardation), and significant regional variations existed in minority representation, but variations…