CSBA, partner offer resources on school discipline policies
Analysis from CSBA’s Policy and Programs Department
Published: April 17, 2012
More than 400,000 students in California were suspended and removed from classrooms at least once during the 2009-10 school year, according to a new research report from the Center for Civil Rights Remedies at the Civil Rights Project in Los Angeles.
The report, “Suspended Education in California,” also reveals stark differences in discipline rates by race, gender and disability status. In the 10 districts where students were at greatest risk for suspension, nearly one of every four students was suspended during the 2009-10 school year, with average suspension rates for African American students a full 20 percentage points higher than white students, according to the report.
These statistics prove more concerning when coupled with the growing body of research showing that the frequent use of such exclusionary discipline practices “has no academic benefits, is strongly associated with low achievement, a heightened risk for dropping out and a greater likelihood of juvenile justice involvement,” as the report says.
In light of this, The California Endowment, a longtime partner in CSBA’s work to address student health and wellness as it relates to learning and achievement, has announced a $1 million fund to support strategies proven to prevent misconduct, keep kids in school and improve school safety. School districts will be able to apply to The Endowment for training, grants and other support starting this fall.
“Research shows that schools and districts have the ability to affect their school disciplinary rates, and many are taking steps to improve outcomes for their students. School governance teams play a key role in helping to turn these statistics around,” said Angelo Williams, CSBA’s assistant executive director for policy and programs.
CSBA guidebook and Policy Brief offer additional assistance
CSBA’s guidebook, “Safe Schools: Strategies for Governing Boards to Ensure Student Success,” can help governing boards develop a comprehensive and coordinated approach to ensuring school safety, noted CSBA Student Wellness Consultant Betsy McNeil.
“Safe Schools,” available for free download from CSBA’s website, offers guidance in reviewing a district’s prevention and intervention discipline policies and practices, including:
- In-school suspension
- Readmission
- Zero tolerance
- Suspension and expulsion of students with disabilities
- Conflict resolution and peer mediation
- Restorative justice strategies
- Community service and remediation workshops
In addition, McNeil advised, efforts by schools and districts to transform their approaches to school discipline must be coupled with comprehensive, coordinated, communitywide support and involvement.
“All institutions, organizations and individuals—governing boards, school staff, parents, students, community-based organizations, local government, business, state and federal leaders—must accept responsibility for their critical roles and should collaborate to ensure positive outcomes for all students,” McNeil said. “A key strategy to achieving this is the ‘community school’ approach, which has been shown to have stronger parent-teacher relationships, increased teacher satisfaction, a more positive school environment, greater community support, increased neighborhood security, heightened community pride and better rapport among students and residents.”
CSBA’s Policy Brief, “Community Schools: Partnerships Supporting Students, Families and Communities,” explains the approach, summarizes possible funding sources, and includes a case study, resources and other useful information that can help guide governance teams in establishing community schools.