Significant Disproportionality

According to WAC 392-172A-07040, Washington defines significant disproportionality as a risk ratio of >3.0 for three consecutive years for any racial/ethnic group in any of the following areas:

  1. The identification of children as children with disabilities,
  2. The identification of children with a particular disability,
  3. The placement of children in particular educational settings or
  4. The incidence, duration, and type of disciplinary actions, including suspensions and expulsions.

A minimum “n” size is used for both target (10) and comparison groups (20).

The risk ratio is a measure of the risk that a student from a specific racial/ethnic group will be served in a specific disability category compared to the risk of all other students being served in that category. For example, a risk ratio of 1.00 means that students from that group are as likely to be served in the category as all other students. A risk ratio greater than 1.00 indicates the degree to which students in the racial/ethnic group are over-represented. Therefore, a risk ratio of 3.23 in the EBD-Black category means that Black students in the district are 3.23 times more likely to be identified in the EBD category than all other students. A risk ratio less than 1.00 indicates the degree to which students from the racial/ethnic group are under-represented. For example, a risk ratio of 0.50 in the ID-Hispanic category means that Hispanic students in the district are half as likely to be identified in the ID disability category as all other students.

Risk Ratio (RR)

≤0.5 >0.5 to 0.67 to 1.5 >1.5 to ≥2.0 to
(3 consecutive years)		 >3.0

(3 consecutive years)
Disproportionate Under- representation At Risk for Disproportionate Under- representation No Disproportionate Representation At Risk for Disproportionate Over- representation Disproportionate Over- representation* Significant Disproportionality*

*Note: The results of the calculations will be verified using multiple methods.

Voluntary CEIS

  • Grade Level/Ages Served: Kindergarten through Grade 12.
  • Groups Served: Only students who are not currently identified as needing special education or related services.

Mandatory CCEIS

  • Grade Level/Ages Served: Age 3 through Grade 12.
  • Groups Served: Students who are not currently identified as needing special education or related services but who need additional academic or behavioral support to succeed in a general education environment; students currently identified as needing special education or related services (funds can be used primarily but not exclusively for this group).

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