State Variation in Gender Disproportionality in Special Education

Martha J. Coutinho · Donald P. Oswald

109 citations0/0 files storedRemedial and Special Education

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Education Discipline and Inequality Behavioral and Psychological Studies Legal Issues in Education

Abstract

Gender disproportionality in special education has been apparent for many years, reflected in male-to-female ratios that range from about 1.5:1 to 3.5:1. The purpose of this study was to investigate the extent of disproportionate representation for the disability conditions of learning disability (LD), serious emotional disturbance (SED), and mental retardation (MR) at the state, regional, and national levels. Using data collected by the U.S. Office for Civil Rights, we examined the hypothesis that current variations across states in gender disproportionality should be small, and similar to rates for the nation as a whole. Substantial variations in state rates for students with LD and SED were observed. We also examined the hypothesis that states serving relatively fewer students for a given disability are likely to have greater male overrepresentation. This hypothesis was generally supported for students with LD but not for students with MR or SED. We examined factors related to state policies for students with MR and SED that might help to account for these findings. We conclude with recommendations for research to better understand the basis for gender disproportionality and with several practical implications for policy review and response related to gender disproportionality at the regional, state, and national levels.

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References

2013Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 2000Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.2014Education and Treatment of Children 1986The education and training of the mentally retarded 1992Sex differences in cognitive abilities, 2nd ed.2002The Influence of Sociodemographics and Gender on the Disproportionate Identification of Minority Students as Having Learning Disabilities 1987Special Education Referrals as an Index of Teacher Tolerance: Are Teachers Imperfect Tests?2001Disproportionate Representation of Males in Special Education Services: Biology, Behavior, or Bias?.

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