Overrepresentation of Students from a Migrant Background in Special Education: Promoting Inclusive and Equitable Education

This study analyses the overrepresentation of students from a migrant background in special education in the stage of primary education, in the region of El Campo de Gibraltar (Southern Spain). This phenomenon poses significant concerns in terms of educational equity and discrimination, as well as q...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Cotán Fernández, Almudena, Besa Gutiérrez, Manuel de, Ruiz Bejarano, Aurora María, Ossorio Núñez, Margarita
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2023
País:España
Institución:Universidad de Huelva (UHU)
Repositorio:Arias Montano. Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad de Huelva
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:ariasmontano.uhu.es:10272/23949
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/10272/23949
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Overrepresentation
Students from a migrant background
Special education
Diversity
Inclusive education
58 Pedagogía
Descripción
Sumario:This study analyses the overrepresentation of students from a migrant background in special education in the stage of primary education, in the region of El Campo de Gibraltar (Southern Spain). This phenomenon poses significant concerns in terms of educational equity and discrimination, as well as questions about the possible underlying causes. It was decided to address this issue from a qualitative methodology through semi-structured interviews with 16 educators of educational centres that have a significant number of students from a migrant background. The results show the need of educators for specific training in attention to diversity. Likewise, many migrant families come to Spain due to the lack of adequate attention that their children receive in their home countries. Lastly, language and cultural barriers were identified, which allow for biased assessments and subjective decisions that result in the referral of students from a migrant background to special education from a multidimensional perspective. Therefore, it is fundamental to provide training to professionals, overcome the language and cultural barriers and ensure that the necessary resources are available, thus guaranteeing an inclusive and equitable education for all students, regardless of their origin.