Program
Special Education M.A.
Number of Pages
49
Year Approved
2026
First Advisor
Charles Strand
Second Reader
Susan Larson
Abstract
This thesis focuses on the topic of disproportionality as it relates to the special education population. Disproportionality is an area of interest for this researcher, who wanted to explore and learn more about disproportionality, the true numbers behind it, the consequences of overrepresentation, and the consequences of our current system for addressing it. Some populations of students have been seemingly overidentified for special education, and current thinking suggests that these services may have negative consequences for the groups that are overidentified. Disproportionality data were reexamined, along with the concept of whether proportional representation in special education should be expected. Additionally, this thesis examined whether receiving additional special education services is actually negative, what the data suggest about that discussion, and the consequences of how education is currently addressing the perceived issue of overidentification in schools.
Degree Name
Special Education M.A.
Document Type
Masterʼs thesis
Recommended Citation
Bradford, J. M. (2026). Disproportionality: The Impact Identifying Students for Special Education [Masterʼs thesis, Bethel University]. Spark Repository. https://spark.bethel.edu/etd/1303
Terms of Use and License Information
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