Special Education
"First, African American students are disproportionately referred to and placed in the high-incidence special education categories of mental retardation, emotional or behavioral disorders, and learning disabilities. Second, once labeled as having disabilities and placed in special education, African American students make achievement gains and exist special education at rates considerably lower than those of the white students identified as having disabilities."
14.8% -- the approximate percentage of the general population that is African American and between the ages of 6-21.
20% -- the approximate percentage of the special education population that is African American and between the ages of 6-21.
2.48 -- African Americans are 2.48 times as likely as whites to be diagnosed as having mental retardation.
1.13 -- African Americans are 1.13 times as likely as whites to be diagnosed with a learning disability.
1.68 -- African Americans are 1.68 times as likely as whites to be diagnosed with a behavior or emotional disorder.
These statistics support the claim that special education is "a new legalized form of structural segregation and racism." Special education was initially created to assist children with learning handicaps. Yet many argue now that educators unintentionally use special education to segregate African American/minority children from white children. Since African American/minority children are usually behind academically, educators frequently dub them as having emotional disorders, mental retardation, or a learning disability.
Special education for blacks is also statistically more segregated than special education for whites. White children in special education programs are more likely to be around "normal" students during the day. In fact, black students in special education programs spend approximately 60% of the day in segregated settings.
SOURCES:
Blanchett, Wanda J. (2005). "Disproportionate Representation of African American Students in Special Education: Acknowledging the Role of White Privilege and Racism." Retrieved on December 5, 2012 from http://69.8.231.237/uploadedFiles/Publications/Journals/Educational_Researcher/3506/06ERv35n6_Blanchett.pdf.