Too many students in special education in Pittsburgh

(Too many students labeled). This article summarizes a recent analysis of the Pittsburgh Public Schools special education programs.

Even as progress and promise in its special education programming are highlighted and acknowledged, the report leaves us with troubling questions about labeling students. The Council of the Great City Schools report can be found at (Great City Schools report on Pittsburgh special education)

The numbers are troubling...
18.2% of all students are labeled for special education.
16.9% of special ed students are labeled as 'emotionally disturbed.'
Of these,black students are three times as likely to be labeled than white students. Recall that old story (2005) in the New York Times, "Special Education Seen as a Trap for Many Minority Students."

According to the report, too many teachers and staff members are still using special education as an escape hatch when students have learning or behavior issues.

Whither true reform and transformation in our special education system?