We invite you to download some or all of our Topical Briefs for free. These publications have been written by a variety of researchers, practitioners and family members about specific practices that support inclusive schooling and culturally responsive practice. We write these Topical Briefs with three standards in mind:

(1) We strive to make these products authentic so that the ideas and illustrations that you read about can be applied in a variety of educational settings.

(2) You should find our Topical Briefs accessible. We work to make our language clear and precise. When possible, we translate our Briefs into a variety of languages.

(3) These Topical Briefs should help you link theories and practices so that you have framework for exploring or informing practice as well as examples of how the theory is translated into practice that is effective and produces learning results for students. All of our Topical Briefs are distillations of research, so all references are listed at the end if you want to read more about a particular topic.

Many school leaders, teacher educators, and technical assistance providers use our Topical Briefs to support professional learning in their work. These helpful publications are also available for purchasing for a minimal cost – around $5 per copy. Order your own glossy, durable booklets using our online order form.

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  Addressing Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students: Overrepresentation in Special Education: Guidelines for Parents

  This brief, also available Spanish, defines the concept of overrepresentation, identifies possible causes for the problem, and offers a variety of ways that parents and families can help prevent or decrease overrepresentation of culturally and linguistically diverse students in special education programs.

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  Disproportionate Representation of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students in Special Education: Measuring the Problem

  This brief examines the various calculations used to examine disproportionate representation of culturally and linguistically diverse students in special education. It also provides background information on the history of this issue, relevant legal decisions and statutes, disproportionate access to the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE), and the concept of significant disproportionality.

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  Haciendo frente a la sobrerepresentación de los estudiantes de origen cultural y lingüístico diverso en la educación especial: Pautas para los padres

  This brief, in Spanish, defines the concept of overrepresentation, identifies possible causes for the problem, and offers a variety of ways that parents and families can help prevent or decrease overrepresentation of culturally and linguistically diverse students in special education programs.

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  Legal Rights: The Overrepresentation of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students in Special Education

  The laws governing special education, and overrepresentation issues in particular, can be intimidating. Lost in the mishmash of federal and state laws and regulations, however, are some fairly basic rules. This practitioner brief explains and outlines those rules.

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  On the Nexus of Race, Disability, and Overrepresentation

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  Preventing Disproportionate Representation: Culturally and Linguistically Responsive Prereferral Interventions

  In this brief, we highlight four key elements of culturally- and linguistically-responsive prereferral intervention for culturally and linguistically diverse students. These elements are (1) Preventing School Underachievement and Failure, (2) Early Intervention for Struggling Learners, (3) Diagnostic/Prescriptive Teaching, and (4) Availability of General Education Problem-Solving Support Systems.

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  Racial Disproportionality in School Disciplinary Practices

  This brief examines the phenomenon of disproportionate application of disciplinary practices for culturally and linguistically diverse students including the history and background of the problem, contributing factors, impact of current zero tolerance policies, and recommendations for preventing and reducing disproportionate practices.