DisCrit Informed Practices of Critical Special Education Teacher Educators: A Review of the Literature

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18666/LDMJ-2024-V29-I2-12838

Abstract

The purpose of this literature review is to examine studies that explore critical special education teacher educators’ use of anti-racist and anti-ableist pedagogy and/or Dis/ability Critical Race Studies Theory (DisCrit) as a framework for their curriculum, teaching strategies, and/or teaching techniques. We focus particularly on teacher candidates’ (TCs’) advocacy and support of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) labeled with specific learning disabilities (SLD). As teacher educators, we recognize that BIPOC students labeled with SLD experience marginalization throughout PK-12 education as well as negative post-school outcomes. Thus, this review seeks to identify evidence-based, anti-racist and anti-ableist teaching methods that show TCs how to advocate and advance academic, social, and/or emotional progress for their students. This review delves into empirical studies within a 10-year period to explore how critical pedagogy and theory can develop TCs’ critical consciousness and encourage anti-racist and anti-ableist practices for students with SLD. The paper concludes with recommendations and resources to help teacher educators model and implement anti-racist and anti-ableist pedagogical practices in teacher education.

Published

2024-12-20