If You Don’t Know, Now You Know: JASE Special Issue on Hip-Hop Pedagogy for Students with Disabilities (Side A)

Abstract

This special issue examines Hip-Hop pedagogy (HHP) as a culturally grounded, multimodal approach that supports K–12 students with disabilities. Hip-Hop is presented as a comprehensive culture rooted in the five elements—MCing, DJing, breakdance, graffiti, and knowledge—which offer inclusive pathways for identity development, community, and learning. This special issue of JASE highlights HHP as an asset-based framework that enhances engagement, self-expression, assessment, and social-emotional growth while aligning with high-leverage practices. Research demonstrates that hip-hop–infused instruction can deepen academic understanding, reframe behavioral challenges, and promote equitable, disability-affirming learning environments. The included articles explore belonging for students who stutter, integrated pedagogical models, mentorship through Hip-Hop, mathematics problem solving, and transition planning for postsecondary readiness. Together, these works position Hip-Hop culture as a transformative educational tool that fosters participation, critical consciousness, and authentic inclusion for learners with disabilities