Pupils from ethnic minority groups are over-represented for some types of special educational needs (SEN) and under-represented for other types compared to white British pupils, according to new research led by Steve Strand and Ariel Lindorff at the University of Oxford.
Using data from the England National Pupil Database from 2005–2016, the report looks at all children age five to 16 in England who have been identified with different types of SEN. As well as identifying ethnic disproportionality, the report also considered whether socio-economic factors, such as poverty and neighbourhood deprivation, or children’s early attainment, had any impact on pupils being identified as having SEN.
The key findings of the report suggest:
- Black Caribbean and mixed white and black Caribbean pupils are twice as likely to be identified with social, emotional and mental health needs as white British pupils.
- Asian pupils are half as likely to be identified with autistic spectrum disorders as white British pupils.
- Indian and Chinese pupils are half as likely to be identified with moderate learning difficulties as white British pupils.
While similar research has been done in the US, it is the first time a study with this detail has been conducted in the UK.