Alabama has worked diligently to address disproportionality since 2000 in the area of special education
through the initiatives of Lee v. Macon Consent Decree. This Consent Decree requires all special
education programs to address the over representation of African-American students identified as having
mental retardation (MR) and emotional disturbance (ED) and the underrepresentation of
African-American students identified as having a specific learning disability (SLD) and giftedness (GT).
Alabama made significant progress in reducing the disparities and, in December 2006, was granted
unitary status with the provision that the state would continue to provide training to teachers,
administrators, and evaluators with regard to disproportionality. (ALSDE, 2011)
As a result of the Lee v Macon Consent Decree, teachers and administrators
new to Alabama school districts are required to complete the following training
components:
· Addressing Disproportionality,
· Make Sense Strategies, and
· Positive Behavior Support
MPS has made provisions for teachers and administrators new to the district to
complete the disproportionality training utilizing the Compliance Director.
All certificated employees are strongly encouraged to maintain documentation
of their completion of the mandatory requirement.