ERIC Number: EJ1065426
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2015
Pages: 6
Abstractor: ERIC
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1068-3844
EISSN: N/A
Lorenzo P. v. Riles? Should the "Larry P." Prohibitions Be Extended to English Language Learners?: Considering Public Policy & IQ Testing in Schools
Garcia, Ernest
Multicultural Education, v22 n2 p2-7 Win 2015
Other than being African American, little is known of Larry, the lead plaintiff in the legal case known as "Larry P. v. Riles" in 1971, which banned the use of standardized intelligence testing on African-American students in the State of California. As a result of such intelligence testing, Larry was diagnosed as being mildly mentally retarded and placed in a special education class for the educable mentally retarded. This placement was for students who were considered to not be on an academic track, but rather in classes to learn social and job skills. This case ultimately led to the current state of affairs in which it is impermissible to use any standardized intelligence tests in California schools for any purpose on African-American students. However, such intelligence tests can be used on "Lorenzo" (the Spanish word for Lawrence). "Lorenzo" may be the son of migrant farmworkers who don't speak a word of English, yet he can be tested with a standard intelligence test, and as a result of such testing be categorized as intellectually disabled (mentally retarded) or as having a specific learning disability. The California Department of Education (CDE) is currently in the process of reviewing activities and methods that might reduce instances of disproportionality in special education. One component of that process is the reconvening of the "Larry P." task force. The last time the "Larry P." task force met, in an effort to help protect Larry, it was recommended that IQ tests not be used for any educational purposes on African-American students. Perhaps this time the task force will also help protect Lorenzo. This articles discusses the following topics: (1) Overrepresentation of Minority Students in Special Education; (2) English Language Learners Overrepresentation in Special Education; (3) The Role of IQ Tests; (4) Bias in IQ Testing; (5) ELLs and Testing; and (6) Alternatives to IQ Tests.
Descriptors: Court Litigation, Intelligence Tests, African American Students, Clinical Diagnosis, Standardized Tests, English Language Learners, Student Placement, Special Education, Disproportionate Representation, Test Bias
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: California
Identifiers - Laws, Policies, & Programs: Larry P v Riles
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A