Cultural Diversity
Cultural diversity refers to the differences among individuals based on their personal experiences and attributes.
A person's culture may include their race, ethnicity, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, nationality, language, religion, political affiliation, and socioeconomic background. Additionally, cultural norms may be influenced by these differences, such as peer and social group interactions and family or community values.
Often, cultural and linguistic diversities are mentioned together (CLD). While cultural diversity may often include linguistic diversity, the two terms are not interchangeable.
Special educators must be culturally responsive to all students, especially those students with disabilities whose culture may influence their educational decisions and outcomes.
The U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) has released two new OSEP Fast Facts.
Publish Date:
September 03, 2020
New Equity Resource for Educators and Stakeholders Released
The COVID-19 Education Coalition Centering Equity workgroup has released a set of questions that educators, school, district and state leaders, parents, and communities can ask to spark discussions to...
Publish Date:
August 27, 2020
Education Trust Issues Report on Social and Emotional Learning from an Equity Perspective
The Education Trust released a report, Social, Emotional, and Academic Development Through an Equity Lens , that recommends educators must work to create more equitable systems for students to succeed...
Publish Date:
August 12, 2020
GAO Makes Recommendations to Ensure Native Students with Disabilities Receive Special Education Services
In a new report about the state of special education at Bureau of Indian Education schools, the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) found the schools “did not provide or did not account for 38 percent of special education and related service time for students with disabilities.”
Publish Date:
June 09, 2020
Message About Racism and Inequity
CEC stands with its members and community against racism, oppression, and the atrocities of the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and others.
Publish Date:
June 04, 2020
Be the Change
The nation has been rocked by the deaths of numerous Black people in the past weeks. What does this have to do with special education? Here are some insight from one Black male special educator.
Publish Date:
June 02, 2020
Secondary School Principals Cite Inadequate Support to Help Students with Disabilities
A 2019 RAND Corporations survey of secondary school principals from the American School Leader Panel found that principals in schools with the highest percentage of students of color feel inadequately prepared to support students with disabilities.
Publish Date:
February 18, 2020
We’re Winning But We’re Tired: How I’m Keeping the Momentum Going From Our Fight for Educational Equity Both In and Out of the Classroom
It’s officially Fall, and teachers everywhere are celebrating the recent victory of the Chicago Teachers Union. At the same time, we are tired, burnt out, and counting down the days until Thanksgiving break. Here's how I'm keeping the momentum going – not only on a political level, but in the classroom as well.
Publish Date:
November 13, 2019