Q&A
Addressing disproportionate classification of Black students as emotionally disabled
3:09:18
ยท
99 sec
Council Member Rita Joseph inquires about the DOE's efforts to address the disproportionate classification of Black students as emotionally disabled. DOE representatives explain the measures taken to reduce this disparity and improve assessment practices.
- Since 2020, the classification of emotional disability for Black students has decreased by 30%
- DOE has increased the use of anti-bias assessments in psychological testing
- More tools have been added to the psychologist's toolbox to highlight students' gifts and challenges
- Implementation of dyslexia screeners and emphasis on phonics instruction
- Ongoing training for teachers on phonics programs and intervention strategies
Rita Joseph
3:09:18
And if I would like to request the data to would I be able to get that?
3:09:22
Thank you.
3:09:23
We know that black students are disproportionately classified as having emotional disabilities.
3:09:29
What systems are in place to prevent overuse of this classification?
3:09:33
And that students are screened for learning disabilities and others prior to classifying them.
Christina Foti
3:09:39
Yeah.
3:09:39
So so just to reiterate what we discussed earlier, we're really glad that since 2020 that that classification, of emotional disability for black students has decreased by 30%.
3:09:50
We attribute that to a few things.
3:09:52
Number 1, we've increased the use of anti bias assessments in, our our psychological testing done by our psychologists via the IEP process.
3:10:01
We've also added more tools to the psychologist toolbox so that there are various assessments that will highlight, students' gifts and challenges.
3:10:10
The dyslexia screeners are also key to this work, as well as the emphasis on phonics.
Rita Joseph
3:10:16
And and all personnel in the buildings are trained for dyslexia screening as well?
Christina Foti
3:10:21
All of the, teachers that working with students are doing, number 1, we're doing phonics, and and they're trained in how to implement, those programs, as well as intervention programs, and the screeners go training goes coincides with all of that.
Rita Joseph
3:10:35
And while we're providing this training for, school personnel, or how are families engaged in this in this work?
Christina Foti
3:10:42
So our family, office of family engagement has been working to do, external trainings with with families and partners.
3:10:48
Our local schools have been doing those partnerships.
3:10:51
This is always a place we're looking to continue to deepen, and, of course, parents play a key role in that.