How is disproportionality monitored in school districts?
A. The Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights (OCR) undertakes pro-active compliance reviews of disproportionate representation. This office gathers information on the racial breakdown of general and special education enrollments in districts and states. If disparities occur in these data, OCR conducts statistical analysis using either the chi-square, fisher-exact, or Z-test to determine whether the data disparities have statistical significance. Even if statistical significance is found, the district may not be in violation of the law. Instead, in citing a district, OCR is alerting that district that it has a disproportionate representation of minority students in special education. In all cases, cited districts must voluntarily agree to work to remedy this disproportionate representation. OCR works with these districts to create an action plan that details exactly what approaches the district will take and a time schedule to report back to OCR. Some districts and state educ
