Maria G. Hernandez – författare

This book positions disproportionality as not solely a special education issue but, rather, a broader issue of educational inequality. Disproportionality in special education parallels a persistent history of chronic socioeconomic and racial inequalities relating to the country's history of denying educational opportunities to students of color, multilingual students, students with disabilities, and those at the intersections of these identities. This book draws on the authors' experiences as technical assistance providers with the Center for Disproportionality, coupled with the latest research findings on the causes of racial disproportionality in general and special education. Dismantling Disproportionality examines four district case studies, showing how each progresses from theory to practice in delivering educational services to all students. The authors conclude that the most effective way to address disproportionality is to use a culturally responsive educational systems approach that critically engages practitioners at the intersection of beliefs, policies, procedures, and practices. Book Features:Offers a concrete, multipronged approach to disrupt and dismantle disproportionality in education.Takes a systemic approach to disproportionality that centers culturally responsive and sustaining education. Describes a framework that can be used at the teacher and school building level, in teacher and leadership preparation programs, and with districts and state education agencies. Provides useful reflection questions, key takeaways, and tools for readers.

This book positions disproportionality as not solely a special education issue but, rather, a broader issue of educational inequality. Disproportionality in special education parallels a persistent history of chronic socioeconomic and racial inequalities relating to the country's history of denying educational opportunities to students of color, multilingual students, students with disabilities, and those at the intersections of these identities. This book draws on the authors' experiences as technical assistance providers with the Center for Disproportionality, coupled with the latest research findings on the causes of racial disproportionality in general and special education. Dismantling Disproportionality examines four district case studies, showing how each progresses from theory to practice in delivering educational services to all students. The authors conclude that the most effective way to address disproportionality is to use a culturally responsive educational systems approach that critically engages practitioners at the intersection of beliefs, policies, procedures, and practices. Book Features:Offers a concrete, multipronged approach to disrupt and dismantle disproportionality in education.Takes a systemic approach to disproportionality that centers culturally responsive and sustaining education. Describes a framework that can be used at the teacher and school building level, in teacher and leadership preparation programs, and with districts and state education agencies. Provides useful reflection questions, key takeaways, and tools for readers.

This resource offers culturally responsive processes and concrete tools to address disproportionality and create more equitable schools. The authors draw on their work with school districts to demonstrate how using a theory of change can address disproportionate outcomes of special education placement and exclusionary discipline for students of colour. Educational institutions can use this application guide to build educators' capacities so that they respond better to the needs of racially, culturally, and linguistically marginalized students, families, and communities. The book includes chapters dedicated to the process of an equity audit to identify and tackle the root causes of disproportionalities; approaches for partnering with young people toward creating an environment every student deserves; and the critical self-reflective work that is foundational to shift the experiences and outcomes of Black, Latinx, Indigenous, multilingual learners, and students with an IEP, as well as students with intersecting identities. Use Dismantling Disproportionality in Practice to guide your work with district and school leaders and staff, teachers, families, and youth.Book Features:This companion to Dismantling Disproportionality: A Culturally Responsive Sustaining Systems Approach (2023) offers lessons learned from a former state-funded technical assistance center.Applicable tools and processes to help school districts confront beliefs, policies, procedures, and practices that result in disproportionate outcomes and experiences. A holistic look at what equitable and culturally responsive schools look like and actionable steps for creating these spaces.Tangible exercises and examples from two decades of experience centering equity within school systems.Guidance for partnering with youth to create equitable, systemic change alongside school leadership.