Subgroup gapsFull briefing
Why is the Bronx better at including students with disabilities?
The longer form of the briefing for this story: the original thesis, the supporting findings the data team flagged, and the reporting directions a journalist could follow. For the short version and the data analysis, see the main story page.
Thesis
Across NYC, students with disabilities score ~30 points below non-SWD classmates on math. But the gap is 27 points in the Bronx — and 34 points in Staten Island. The Bronx serves more SWDs and gets better relative outcomes for them.
Supporting findings
- Within-school math grade-5 SWD vs NON_SWD gap (2024-25), avg by borough:
- Staten Island: 34.1 pts (n=49)
- Brooklyn: 32.2 pts (n=196)
- Queens: 32.0 pts (n=181)
- Manhattan: 29.4 pts (n=108)
- Bronx: 26.9 pts (n=139)
- Bronx SWD avg proficient: 22% (lowest absolute). Bronx NON_SWD: 49%. Both lower than other boroughs, but the *gap* is smaller — Bronx isn't leaving SWDs disproportionately behind.
- Staten Island has highest absolute SWD scores (38%) — but also highest non-SWD (73%) — so SWDs are relatively further behind their peers.
- Is this because of D75 placement patterns (more severe-needs students sent to D75 from SI)?
- Look at integrated co-teaching (ICT) class density across boroughs — Bronx historically has high ICT enrollment.
- Compare with HS graduation rate gap by SWD: does the Bronx advantage persist?
Reporting directions
- Pull D75 enrollment / counts by sending district — does the Bronx send fewer or more kids to D75?
- Interview NYC DOE Office of Special Education on policy differences across borough superintendents.
- Compare ICT vs self-contained vs general-ed-with-SETSS at Bronx schools vs SI schools.
- Profile a Bronx school with notably small SWD gap (top of distribution).