The issue of the overrepresentation of students of color in special education is not unique to Madison, and in recent years has been raised as a concern at both the federal and state levels. The recent reauthorization of IDEA in 2004 includes requirements of state educational agencies and local school districts to address disproportionality through their policies and procedures.

In March of 2006 the National Institute for Urban School Improvement (NIUSI) invited the MMSD to be one of eight synergy sites to partner with them to address the overrepresentation of students of color in special education. This partnership will give the MMSD access to an expansive array of current research, technical assistance and professional development designed to support 10 MMSD schools with their improvement efforts to address disproportionality.

The partnership with NIUSI is just one of multiple actions of the MMSD in response to this national concern. In addition, written guidelines for conducting non-bias, multi-cultural assessments of English language learners have been developed. The goal for 2006-07 is to further expand these IEP evaluation guidelines to include the non-bias, multicultural assessment of African American and Native American students referred for special education.

As part of this focus, University of Wisconsin Distinguished Speaker Presentation by Alfred Artiles (pictured below, far left) at Wright Middle School was held on April 27th at Wright Middle. Artiles addressed disproportionate representation and accurate identification of culturally and linguistically diverse students with disabilities.

A brief panel discussion followed Artiles' presentation. The panel included an MMSD Principal, a teacher and an Educational Services program support teacher. The panel provided reactions to Artiles' presentation and brought some of the issues back to a local level.

Panel Discussion Participants (left to right): Alfred Artiles, Distinguished Speaker; Audrey Trainor, UW Madison; Teresa Carranza, ELL Program Coordinator from Verona Area School District; Sara Halberg, MMSD Program Support Teacher; Vaunce Ashby, Assistant Principal Toki Middle School

For additional information on disproportionality of African American and American Indian Students in special education in MMSD, click here.

Other Related Links

• NIUSI News Release: National Institute celebrates collaboration with 9 sites.