Disproportionate Representation of Diverse Students in Special Edeucation by Ochoa

Ochoa, S. Disproportionate Representation of Diverse Students in Special Education – Understanding the Complex Puzzle

It was interesting to read about the ongoing issue of the disproportionate representation of the minority student in special education. This issue has been questioned and reported by several organizations, the issue is still being questioned and reported to this day.
It was interesting to read about how some of the students that were labeled as needing special education, did not need it at all. I was amazed at some of the reasons given as to why some of these students were put into special education. The instruction that a lot of the students received was inappropriate. Some teachers are not prepared to deal with students whose first language is other than English.
The counselors and school psychologists are not properly trained to deal with minority students whose language and culture is different as well. The tests and assessment that they give to a lot of the students were given inappropriately. They may have used interpreters, translators who did not have proper training to give and or aide in the assessments. Lack of training was said to be the link that may have resulted in some of the placement of students.
In offering solution the authors mentioned that as complex as the disproportionate representation is for diverse student, the solutions are just as complex. Collaboration between the educators and practitioners were “encouraged so that together they can address the influence of systemic school factors (p. 40).”