Examining the Cultural Intelligence and Perceptions of Educational Decision-Makers: Factors that Relate to Decision-Making for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students Who May Have Disabilities

Annela Costa, Florida International University

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to explore the cultural intelligence of educational decision-makers and their perceptions of the importance of factors that relate to pre-referral/referral and eligibility determination processes for culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) students who may have disabilities. Participants (n=120) included teachers, school psychologists, and local education agents. The results revealed that individual-level factors predicted the cultural intelligence of educational decision-makers. Participants perceived factors related to pre-referral/referral processes to be more important in decision-making when compared to factors related to eligibility determination; yet, participants self-reported feeling more confident in making decisions involving eligibility determination. Finally, cultural intelligence was found to be a significant predictor of participants’ reported confidence for making such decisions. In closing, the findings from this study may serve to inform special education policies and practice and improve educational decision-making regarding CLD students with diverse educational needs.

Subject Area

Education|Special education|Multicultural Education

Recommended Citation

Costa, Annela, "Examining the Cultural Intelligence and Perceptions of Educational Decision-Makers: Factors that Relate to Decision-Making for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students Who May Have Disabilities" (2019). ProQuest ETD Collection for FIU. AAI28966501.
https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/dissertations/AAI28966501

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