Too many minorities in special ed, California official says

04-19-2011

By Theresa Harrington/Contra Costa Times

"I absolutely think it's a problem relative to special education," board President Gary Eberhart said Monday. "This is something that I've been screaming about for 13 or 14 years." Trustees on Tuesday will discuss the high number of black and Latino students in the district who are "overly represented" in special education and "disproportionately" suspended or expelled. Mt. Diablo was among 85 districts identified by the state in June as being disproportionate in these areas. The district has established an "Equity Advisory Team" including the Concord police chief and teachers' union president, and is working with a consultant provided by the state to examine school climate and student achievement goals, with the intent of adopting new policies to reverse current trends. Trustees will review two draft policies aimed at "creating a cadre of culturally competent educators and administrators" to serve diverse students by providing academic, emotional and social supports needed to increase the achievement of underperforming groups. (more...)

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