Use of adaptive behavior measures and overrepresentation of black students in programs for students with mild mental retardation.

The use of adaptive behavior information for classification and placement of black and white students with mild mental retardation was compared and overrepresentation of black students in special classes was analyzed. Adaptive behavior measures were not used to the same extent as general intelligence tests for either group, despite court decisions and recommendations by authoritative sources. Direct comparisons on general intellectual functioning and several indices of adaptive behavior yielded few differences, suggesting that an equal treatment conception of fairness was achieved despite substantial overrepresentation of black students in programs for students with mild mental retardation. Use of adaptive behavior needs to improve significantly to comply with legal requirements.