Thursday, January 09, 2014

US DEPARTMENTS OF ED & JUSTICE RELEASE SCHOOL DISCIPLINE POLICY GUIDELINES

note: These are joint guidelines from the US Depts of Ed and Justice – and should not be confused with the work of the US Dept of Ed Office of Civil Rights consent decree with LAUSD. The DoE OCR is NOT the same as the Department of Justice Office of Civil Rights (…The ’real’ OCR!)

see also: 4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit: ZERO TOLERANCE LEAVES A MIXED LEGACY OF SAFER SCHOOLS http://bit.ly/1cPZ4AM

LA Times

Federal guidelines unveiled to avoid racial bias in school discipline


January 8, 2014, 3:10 p.m.  ::  Federal officials kicked up their campaign against discriminatory school discipline policies Wednesday, issuing first-ever guidelines for school districts on how to avoid racial disparities in student punishments. In a 23-page letter, officials with the U.S. departments of justice and education said they recognized schools must use discipline to promote a “safe and orderly” environment but that federal data and investigations showed that African Americans were punished more harshly and frequently than whites in similar situations.

http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-school-discipline-20140108,0,4865824.story#axzz2pulVv75Z

la Opinion

Department of Education discloses disciplinary package

JAN 8, 2014 7:11 PM  ::  WASHINGTON -. The Departments of Justice and Education gave today a package of guidance on student discipline in order for schools to develop practical and fair strategies that will improve the school environment while the federal law is fulfilled. "When a student commits a breach of discipline routine, it should end at the school office and not at the police station," said Secretary of Justice and Attorney General, Eric Holder.

http://www.laopinion.com/noticias/departamento-de-educacion-da-conocer-paquete-de-disciplina-escolar

 

THE WASHINGTON POST

Holder, Duncan announce national guidelines on school discipline

January 8, 2013  ::  BALTIMORE — Bringing new attention to harsh punishments in schools, federal officials Wednesday urged educators across the country to move away from practices that suspend students for minor infractions and disproportionately affect minorities. “The need to rethink and redesign school discipline practices is frankly long overdue,” said Education Secretary Arne Duncan, speaking in Baltimore alongside Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. as the two leaders unveiled what were described as the first national guidelines on school discipline.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/holder-duncan-announce-national-guidelines-on-school-discipline/2014/01/08/436c5a5e-7899-11e3-8963-b4b654bcc9b2_story.html

The Atlantic

How to Discipline Students Without Turning School Into a Prison

JAN 9 2014, 11:07 AM  ::  For years a body of troubling evidence has been building that reveals racially discriminatory practices in school disciplinary measures. Black and Latino children are more likely to be disciplined, be more severely disciplined, and are more frequently are suspended or expelled or sent to special alternative schools. “Zero-tolerance” policies that presume all explanations for infractions as small as being late to school are excuses and there’s no such thing as mitigating circumstances have been particularly hurtful to poor black and Latino students.

http://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2014/01/how-to-discipline-students-without-turning-school-into-a-prison/282944/

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