I completely agree with limiting zero tolerance policies to extreme cases and using alternative discipline policies that focus on taking responsibilities and making better choices in the future.
I think it is unfortunate to also see the long term negative effects of suspensions and expulsions and how it can lead to an increase in learning gaps and possibly lead to dropping out of school.
It is even more concerning to see the huge disparity rates for both hispanic/latino and african americans as compared to the other ethnicities. A few years ago, my district had similar concerns about our district disparity rates since both african americans and hispanic/latino students are the two largest ethnicity groups.
As I read the beter than zero article, I saw several trends and similarities within my district. Specifically, my district administrators acknowledged the negative affects of zero tolerance policies and the benefits of alternative forms of discipline.
Our Board chose to revise our zero tolerance policy for extreme cases to keep our students connected to school and resources needed to prevent reoccuring behavior issues and avoid any long term negative effects on our students.
In addition, our district introduced using restorative justice practices which is an evidenced based practice referenced in the article. I think this is a great alternative to discipline for students because they learn to take accountability and truly understand the impact of their behavior not only on themselves but within the school, community, and the harm caused on their victim.
These policies have been in place for a few years and and their has been some huge progress with decreasing the amount of expulsions and suspensions so we are learning more and more everyday how to continue to use these types of alternative disciplines to keep our schools safe.
From a high school point of view, revising the expulsion and suspension policies has not made us feel unsafe. I know some arguments for zero tolerance is to keep our students and schools safe and free of violence or disruptions to the learning environment.
Monday, January 16, 2017
How to Break the School to Prison Pipeline
I completely agree with limiting zero tolerance policies to extreme cases and using alternative discipline policies that focus on taking responsibilities and making better choices in the future.
I think it is unfortunate to also see the long term negative effects of suspensions and expulsions and how it can lead to an increase in learning gaps and possibly lead to dropping out of school.
It is even more concerning to see the huge disparity rates for both hispanic/latino and african americans as compared to the other ethnicities. A few years ago, my district had similar concerns about our district disparity rates since both african americans and hispanic/latino students are the two largest ethnicity groups.
As I read the beter than zero article, I saw several trends and similarities within my district. Specifically, my district administrators acknowledged the negative affects of zero tolerance policies and the benefits of alternative forms of discipline.
Our Board chose to revise our zero tolerance policy for extreme cases to keep our students connected to school and resources needed to prevent reoccuring behavior issues and avoid any long term negative effects on our students.
In addition, our district introduced using restorative justice practices which is an evidenced based practice referenced in the article. I think this is a great alternative to discipline for students because they learn to take accountability and truly understand the impact of their behavior not only on themselves but within the school, community, and the harm caused on their victim.
These policies have been in place for a few years and and their has been some huge progress with decreasing the amount of expulsions and suspensions so we are learning more and more everyday how to continue to use these types of alternative disciplines to keep our schools safe.
From a high school point of view, revising the expulsion and suspension policies has not made us feel unsafe. I know some arguments for zero tolerance is to keep our students and schools safe and free of violence or disruptions to the learning environment.
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