Saying “school discipline is a civil rights issue,” students from across California told powerful personal stories about school suspensions in a rally on August 14 on the steps of the Capitol in Sacramento. They joined the nation’s top civil rights leaders including Rev. Jesse Jackson and Marian Wright Edelman who sent a letter urging Gov. ... Read More
Saying that it shouldn’t matter where you live or who you are when out-of-school suspensions are handed out, students and parents rallied in Sacramento on Wednesday, August 14, in support of fair school discipline rules. Data shows that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students, students of color, and students with disabilities are much more likely ... Read More
Join The Dignity in Schools Campaign for a webinar training: DSC Model Code: Restorative Justice WHAT: Free webinar focused on advocating for and using Restorative Justice practices WHEN: Thursday, July 25, 4:00/1:00PM (Eastern/Pacific Time) WHO: Educators, parents, students and community organizations are all invited Join us for the fifth in a series of webinars on the Dignity in ... Read More
This weekend will showcase an entire conference dedicated to fixing school discipline. “We Can Do Better: Collaborating to Reform School Discipline and Accountability,” is sponsored by the Advancement Project and will bring educators, school administrators, community activists, law enforcement and students together to talk about what can be done to combat the school-to-prison-pipeline. You can read more ... Read More
Wednesday, July 17, 2013 10:00 AM – 11:15 AM PDT Join Sarah Omojola of Public Counsel and Kerry Callahan of Pioneer High School in Woodland for the next webinar in the Let’s Fix School Discipline Webinar Series. This webinar will focus on where to find funding to fuel alternative school discipline in schools and districts. ... Read More
Out-of-school suspensions are on the rise across the country, a troubling statistic when you consider being suspended just once ups a student’s chances of dropping out entirely. That’s why many districts are hoping to keep kids in school by trying an alternative to suspension. The “conflict-resolution room” at Ypsilanti High School in Michigan is quiet and ... Read More
Another look into an absurd school discipline policy that totes a 6-year-old off to jail for having a tantrum during school. Elsewhere in this country, young students have been suspended and jailed for throwing a pencil at another student, doodling on a school desk, and having a food fight. The absence of common sense discipline ... Read More
Featuring the World Premiere of a New Play: Willful Cornerstone Theater Company and The California Endowment, in partnership with The Black Parallel School Board, will bring the community, policy makers, and the media together to dramatize personal stories of school discipline and to discuss alternatives to harsh practices on Wednesday, June 26, 2013 at ... Read More
6.10.13 Even though many of you know that our policy work is focused on California, school districts all across the country are making moves from punitive to restorative justice practices, positive behavioral intervention and support, and social emotional learning in their schools. We want to include school districts that are beginning to have these important ... Read More
Billy Aydlett, principal of Leataata Floyd Elementary School in Sacramento looks at the options that teachers have in the classroom when a child is defiant. His recent piece in the Sacramento Bee can be read here. “That student can take a cool-down break, then sit down later with the teacher to resolve it, with the ... Read More
