Disproportionality Definition

Disproportionality refers to the overrepresentation or underrepresentation of student groups, relative to their overall enrollment, in educational outcomes such as special education identification, school discipline, and access to gifted, honors, and Advanced Placement (AP) programs. While disproportionality is measured through data, it is much more than a statistical pattern—it is an indicator that educators and school systems should examine how opportunities, decisions, and supports are distributed across students.