Asian students and special education

Here's a link to a great article on some important work being done on Asian American students with special needs in schools. Spotlight on Lusa Lo, a MAAEA member and professor at the Graduate College of Education at UMass Boston!

excerpts from "Asian Students Left behind on Special Education"

By Tracy Jan Globe Staff / February 9, 2008

Asians make up 9 percent of students in Boston schools, but only 3 percent of those enrolled in special education, a disparity that has led to fears that many are not getting the help they need.

On a recent night, after a dinner of eggrolls and noodles, a special-education professor from the University of Massachusetts at Boston lectured the parents in their native Cantonese on the importance of understanding their children's Individualized Education Plans. She passed out sample forms, translated into Chinese, along with a glossary of terms like autism, benchmarks, and accommodation. The hope is that these parents will reach out to other Chinese parents who may not be getting the services their children need.

"The goal is to educate them so they can advocate for their children," said Lusa Lo, the UMass professor who helped begin the Chinese Empowerment Coalition, which organized the workshops.

Asian students represent 4.8 percent of the state's public school enrollment, but only 2.3 percent of special-education students. Overall, 16.7 percent of Massachusetts students require special education. In Boston, where nearly a fifth of all students require special education, statistics show that black, Hispanic, and white special-education students pretty much reflect their demographics in the schools.

Go to the article to read all about the work being done right here in Boston!