Initiative targets high number of black students in special education

A new initiative is aimed at using advocacy by parents and educators to address factors that contribute to a disproportionate number of African-American students being identified as having disabilities. Data show that black students comprise 17% of public-school students but account for 31% of those with intellectual disabilities, 28% of those with emotional disorders and 21% of those with learning disabilities, all diagnoses that could be influenced by bias. Education Week/On Special Education blog (1/12)  http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/speced/2012/01/a_new_initiative_hopes_to.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+OnSpecialEducation+%28Education+Week+Blog%3A+On+Special+Education%29