List and explain some of the reasons why children of different racial/ethnic groups are often overrepresented in special education programs and underrepresented in gifted education programs.

Question

What will be an ideal response?What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Far too often, children who belong to different racial/ethnic groups are assumed to behave in different ways. Student responses may vary as there are many reasons in which these assumptions may occur. Students may address any of the following reasons. First, it may be that teachers do not value the differences between cultural groups or understand them. Another possible explanation for these assumptions may be that teachers are purposefully stereotyping these students. The assumption that children from different racial/ethnic groups behave in different ways often leads to these students being overrepresented in special education programs. Furthermore, these assumptions lead to an underrepresentation of minority students in gifted education programs. For example, reports indicate that minority children living in poverty are routinely overrepresented in special education programs.