Early theories suggest, the disconnect between these groups were due to student/teacher language difficulties or that ethnic cultures don’t value education as heavily as the Western culture does.[11] Often placing, culturally diverse students unnecessarily in special education classes simply because of linguistic and cultural differences.[12] In response to these challenges, some researchers and teachers believe that education should be adapted to "match the cultures students bring with them from home." [13] One key educational researcher who has contributed significantly to the progression of culturally relevant teaching is Geneva Gay.