Trends in the Special Education Identification Rates of Boys and Girls: A Call for Research and Change

Female underrepresentation in special education is now of significant concern to educators. The purpose of this study was to present nationally representative information about the extent of disproportionate representation for the disability conditions of learning disabilities, mental retardation, and emotional disturbance. Using data collected by the U.S. Office for Civil Rights, national trends are reported in gender disproportion between 1980-1997. Recommendations are made for carefully designed empirical research to elucidate the basis for differences, improved data collection and reporting by gender, and changes in practice.