SPED 301:Introduction to Special EducationSPED 301:Introduction to Special Education

Multicultural and Diversity

Issues

General Education vs. Special EducationGeneral Education vs. Special Education

General Education Goals

• aimed at serving the “masses”

• educating students to reach the same level

• bases evaluation on the “norm”

• creates a leveling effect

General Education vs. Special EducationGeneral Education vs. Special Education

Special Education Goals

• stresses individual potential

• builds upon student’s strengths

• bases evaluation on individual growth

• emphasizes the individual and specific skill development

Multicultural Education PromotesMulticultural Education Promotes

1. Strengths and values of cultural diversity

2. Human rights

3. Alternative life choices

4. Equality for ALL people

5. Equity in power and income

Multicultural Education PromotesMulticultural Education Promotes

• Pride in one’s own cultural heritage and understanding of microcultures different from one’s own

• Positive attitudes toward cultural diversity

• Equal educational opportunities for all students

Copyright © 2000 by Allyn and BaconA Pearson Education Company

Linkage to Special EducationLinkage to Special Education

1. Many children placed in special education are from minority backgrounds.

1. SPED and MCE share the problems of discrimination and inappropriate educational programming.

Linkages ContinuedLinkages Continued

• Environmental influences appear to operate in both SPED and MCE.

• Certain instructional interventions are needed in both SPED and MCE.

Could You Pass This Could You Pass This Test?Test?

•What is a blue tick?

•What’s the most successful method for catching catfish?

•What is Hanna-butta?

Could You Pass This Could You Pass This Test?Test?

•If someone told you to get “da kine”, what would they mean?

•What is gee-haw-whinny-diddle?

Could You Pass This Could You Pass This Test?Test?

• What is a blue tick?

(Appalachian hound dog)• What’s the most successful method

for catching catfish?

(In Appalachia, electrofishing.)

• What is Hanna-butta?

(In Hawaii, a runny nose.)

Could You Pass This Could You Pass This Test?Test?

• If someone told you to get “da kine”, what would they mean?

(In Appalachia, just about anything.)

• What is gee-haw-whinny-diddle?

(A Hawaiian toy.)•Is this a culturally biased test or do you have a low IQ?Source: Adpated from Patton, J.R., Payne, J.S., and Beirne-Smith, M. (1986) Mental Retardation, Columbus, OH. Merrill.

Assessment IssuesAssessment Issues• Nondiscriminatory• Multidisciplinary• Language

diversity• Cultural bias and

assessment error• Properly trained

professionals

Teaching StrategiesTeaching Strategies

•Always be aware•Engage in cultural reciprocity•Utilize alternative instructional

strategies•Incorporate student’s cultural

background•Encourage parent involvement

Teaching StrategiesTeaching Strategies

•Get information•Use the Internet•Ensure the curriculum is

relevant to the child’s experience

•Have children learn form each other

SummarySummary

• Intervention strategies must consider cultural background and based on student’s needs.

• Cultural diversity should not be the basis for providing special education services.

• Most children from culturally diverse backgrounds do not require special education.