The reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Act of 2004 (IDEA) delineates requirements for states to tackle the problem of disproportionate identification of population subgroups (race, ethnicity) as having disabilities. Each state is required to address Disproportionality as part of their State Performance Plan.
States are responsible for identifying disproportionality in local school districts and where identified, to examine the policies, procedures and practices of these school districts to determine whether these are factors lead to inappropriate identification. Research suggests that lack of cultural competence in the general education setting and in the assessment process contribute to Disproportionality.
The Northern RI Collaborative will be assisting the Rhode Island Department of Education to move forward with intervention in school districts now identified as evidencing disproportionate identification.
Rhode Island's Disproportionality Initiative
This project will coordinate the professionals engaged in building statewide capacity to implement activities of early intervening and cultural competence including:
- Delivering professional development on a statewide that is designed to support target districts in conducting needs assessments
- Revising policies and procedures, and
- Developing interventions relatd to cultural competence and early intervening.
Contact Robert E. Wall, Jr., Director of Educational Services, at 495-2000 x 2011, or email at rwall@nric-ri.org for more information.
