The Marginalization of Students in Need

This book surveys the exclusion of students with disabilities from obtaining an appropriate education in the early history of the nation to the current time. It finds that in spite of the tireless efforts of parents, advocates, court legislations and federal mandates, students with disabilities especially minority students and second language learners, still continue to be deprived of an appropriate education. Research conducted in a mid-sized urban school district in Southern California found that teachers recommendation of minority students and second language learners for special education referral was not in compliance with state and federal mandates. Even though there was an honest effort by both federal and state governments to improve the quality of education for children with disabilities this was not occurring at the school level. They still continue to be deprived of the opportunity for an education in the regular education setting and become candidates for referral to special education.