Diana vs. California State Board of Education (1970) Taylor Spratt
Diana was a student in Monterey County, California who spoke Spanish.
Based on the Stanford Benet IQ test, 9 Mexican American students including Diana were placed into a class for Mild Mental Retardation.
The test was biased because it was given in English and mainly focused on verbal skills. Since the 9 students did not speak English well, their performance on the test was doomed from the start.
The test was mainly geared toward the U.S. white, middle class, with English as their first language.
When given the IQ test in Spanish, the 9 children scored above that of the intellectually disabled. These students gained 15 points when given the test in their native language.
Because of this, the case never made it to the courtroom.
An agreement was made between the State Board of Education and families that students cannot be placed in Special Education based on culturally bias testing or tests administered in English.
Outcomes
- California was ordered to create an appropriate IQ test that can be performed in numerous languages.
- The education system was forced to examine inequalities in special education based on race or ethnicity. This included retesting all Mexican American students placed in classes for the intellectually disabled.
- Made it required to only test students in their native language or the language they feel most comfortable with.
Effects on IDEA
- IDEA requires that all assessments be non-discrimatory
- By law under IDEA, tests should be done in the child's native language or use tests that do not require knowledge of English.
Effects on teachers, parents, & students
- Teachers can be sure each student is receiving an education based on their skill level. Teachers also are conciencious about creating an culturally inclusive classroom so the instruction reaches all students, not just a particular group.
- Parents can be content in knowing their child is not placed inaccurately because of their culture and language. Also they are more comfortable knowing their child will be treated equally in the education system.
- Students can receive an accurate IQ score because the test is given in a form of that they're most comfortable with. Students do not have to worry about being inaccurately placed in special education classrooms and will be challenged no matter what their cultural background is.
