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
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
5.28.13 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
Kiera Wilmot, the Florida fifth grade student who was recently arrested and suspended for doing a high school science experiment, demonstrates the use of severe discipline policies that perpetuate the ‘school-to-prison-pipeline.’ The young scientist wrote a blog for the ACLU about how her and her family have been affected by the school’s harsh discipline policies. Read ... Read More
It’s time to fix school discipline practices and policies All students can learn. That’s a simple but profound starting place for talking about changing school discipline policies. As a former teacher in New Orleans public schools, I am well aware of the difficulty of teaching students who have varying backgrounds, abilities and learning styles in ... Read More
Los Angeles schools are leading the way to keep students in school and learning. The LAUSD school board has approved a School Climate Bill of Rights that will help schools reduce suspensions of students for minor behavioral issues, and implement alternatives that will support all students, improve school climate, and increase achievement. Click here to ... Read More
LAUSD considers banning the use of suspensions for ‘willful defiance,’ a move that would be a first for California. LAUSD has been a leader in reforming school discipline through looking at suspension data, and by using positive incentives to encourage better student behavior. L.A. Superintendent John Deasy says, “Willful defiance has become a vehicle for ... Read More
5.10.13 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 in their schools. We want to include school districts that are beginning to have these important conversations, as well as bring you more of these ... Read More
