Racial equality is an important factor in ensuring every student has access to the general education curriculum. But equity in special education goes deeper yet.

What does equity in special education mean? What does it look like? Today we’re speaking with Dr. Dorothea Gordon, Executive Director of Special Education at Grand Prairie ISD in Texas. Dr. Gordon helps to set a baseline definition for equity in special education, shares some highlights of GPISD’s program that have proven effective, and looks at some of the pressing issues facing educators working in special education in today’s world.

• Professional learning that special educators need to be effective
• The challenges that racial minorities – often African American and Hispanic males – face in schools, especially in disciplinary situations
• The most important factors when considering how to provide equitable access to education for all students