Editorial Type: research-article
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Online Publication Date: 01 Sept 2014

Blacked Out: Racial and Gender Segregation in Gifted Education 60 Years After Brown vs. Board of Education

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Article Category: Research Article
Page Range: 3 – 11
DOI: 10.56829/2158-396X.14.2.3
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This article examines the under-representation of African American students in gifted education, with attention to how representation differs for Black males and females. We contend that social injustices (e.g., prejudice and discrimination) contribute to racially segregated gifted education classes (Ford, 2013b). For support, gifted under-representation trends are shared, accompanied by formulae for calculating under-representation and inequity associated with under-representation. Denying access to gifted education based on race is a violation of civil rights in education. We discuss the under-representation of Black males and females in gifted education with Brown vs. Board of Education (1954) as the legal foundation and then attend to a court case in gifted education (McFadden vs. Board of Education for Illinois School District U-46, 2013; 984 F.Supp.2d 882) for one contemporary point of discussion regarding gifted education segregation. Suggestions for desegregating gifted education are shared.

Copyright: Copyright 2014, Division for Culturally & Linguistically Diverse Exceptional Learners of the Council for Exceptional Children 2014

Contributor Notes

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Donna Y. Ford is a Professor of Special Education; and Professor of Teaching and Learning, Vanderbilt University, Peabody College of Education.

Robert A. King, Jr. is an undergraduate student at Vanderbilt University and President of the National Pan Hellenic Council.

Requests for reprints and correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Donna Y. Ford at donna.ford@vanderbilt.edu.
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