English Learners and Students from Low-Income Families. IDEA Series

N

48

Educational Legislation; Disabilities; Equal Education; Federal Legislation; English Language Learners; Student Needs; Low Income Groups; Public Education; Barriers; Student Placement; Disability Identification; Federal Government; Government Role; Parent Education; Disproportionate Representation; Family Involvement; Elementary Secondary Education; Grants

This report is part of a five-report series on the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) that identifies the challenges facing English learners with disabilities and their families, as well as the unique needs facing students with disabilities from low-income families, and it examines how they fare in the public education system. The National Council on Disability undertook a study to examine barriers these students face and how schools, districts, and states can better meet their needs. Six chapters focus on: (1) Rates of Identification and Placement; (2) Current Supports from the Department of Education; (3) Supports from Other Agencies; (4) Challenges in Addressing Needs of English Learners and Students from Low-Income Families; (5) Findings; and (6) Recommendations to Congress, the Department of Education, and State Policymakers. Results found that too often, educators have lower expectations for students with disabilities who are also English learners and students with disabilities from low-income families. Schools, districts, and states face challenges in effectively coordinating services and supports for these students as well as challenges in developing effective policies for determining entry and exit for language-based services for English learners with disabilities.

ERIC

2018

ED588513