Equity and Disproportionality


The SELPA Administrators of California advocate for the removal of any and all barriers to learning and inclusion of students with disabilities.  And, our member LEAs recognize the importance of preventing the inappropriate over-identification and/or disproportionate representation by race and ethnicity of students with disabilities within specific eligibility categories, those suspended or expelled at higher than state target rates, those students with disabilities removed from the least restrictive environment, and those placed in separate schools.  We provide training and technical assistance in targeted areas based on an annual review of State Performance Plan Indicators for disproportionality.  
image of the first slide of closed captioned video on what disproportionality is and how to address it.

Click on the image at the left to watch a brief video explaining disproportionality, produced by the State Performance Plan - Technical Assistance Project.

As an Association, we believe that a greater understanding is needed by the entire school community about the effects of labels and the associated stigma that can come as a result of inappropriate special education identification and inappropriate application of discipline practices that result in the removal of students to more restrictive environments than necessary.  It is with this in mind that we provide the additional study information below.  If you have any questions about this material, please reach out to us at selpasupport@selpa.info 


Important Links

State Performance Plan - Technical Assistance Project (SPP-TAP) - Complete resources for educational leaders to guide them in addressing equity and disproportionality concerns (Note: this link takes you directly to the e-learning video modules like the one here.)

Equity Disproportionality & Design (EDDS) - The South County SELPA provides a wealth of trainings, tools, podcasts, and other resources to help LEAs and SELPAs prevent over-identification and disproportionality as one of four SELPA Content Leads in California.  

Further Study 

**NEW  Positive, Proactive Approaches to Supporting Children with Disabilties, A Guide for Stakeholders, USDOE, OSEP, July 19, 2022
Diversity is an Asset - Comprehensive Resources
Do Early Educators' Implicit Biases Regarding Sex and Race Relate to Behavior Expectations and Recommendations of Preschool Expulsions and Suspensions? - Study from Yale University Child Study Center, 2016
Microaggressions in the Classroom - Video by Dr. Yolanda Flores Niemann, University of North Texas
Solving Disproportionality and Achieving Equity: A Leader′s Guide to Using Data to Change Hearts and Minds: Fergus, Edward A.