Number of Students with Disabilities in Brazil is 3.5 Times Higher than Official Reports
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Loading... - Andreas Lehmann
- 02 Sep 2024
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A new study suggests that the number of students with disabilities and learning disorders in Brazil is significantly underreported. While the most recent School Census records 3.7% of basic education students as having disabilities, the study estimates that the true figure is closer to 12.8%. This discrepancy means that over 6 million students—rather than the officially reported 1.8 million—may require special education services, leaving about 4.3 million students unaccounted for in current public policies.
This underestimation has serious implications for special and inclusive education in Brazil. It affects the allocation of resources, such as the training of educators, the hiring of specialized professionals, and the adaptation of school infrastructure, all of which are essential for supporting students with disabilities or learning disorders.
The study was conducted by Equidade.info, an initiative associated with Stanford University's School of Education, and supported by the Stanford Lemann Center and the Itaú Foundation. Supervised by Stanford professors Guilherme Lichand and Elizabeth Kozleski, the research suggests that Brazil's percentage of students with disabilities or learning disorders is more in line with international averages, such as the United States, where the figure is around 12%.
This finding highlights the need for a reassessment of Brazil's educational data and policies to ensure that all students receive the support they need.
