Green Special Education Gray National & State Policy
Culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) students with suspected disabilities pose a unique challenge for schools. Distinguishing between cultural or linguistic difference vs. disability is a complex process. This session will include a review of current research, a collaborative systems case study and time for participants to review a toolkit of resources they can adopt to strengthen local procedures when CLD students are being considered during both the pre-referral and referral phases. The session will also allow participants time to share challenges, practices and ideas for systemic change.
Throughout the presentation, participants will review and examine current research on distinguishing difference from disability for culturally and linguistically diverse students; Participants will engage with colleagues in a breakout session to conduct a systems case study to analyze their current local practices and identify tools to improve the referral and referral process for CLD students; Participants will create a toolkit of resources to bring back to district/school-based teams to invoke a systems review
