The Children’s Movement is helping to promote restorative justice practices in schools by eliminating suspensions or expulsions for “willful defiance” through Senate Bill 607 authored by Senator Nancy Skinner. You can view the letter at this link here, and sign on before the deadline tomorrow, Wednesday 2/21, at 5pm.
Five years ago, California schools issued an astounding 709,702 suspensions, nearly half for “defiance/disruption,” a catch-all category used to justify disciplinary action for minor misconduct, like talking back or chewing gum. Black students were more than four times as likely to be suspended as White students, even when accused of similar behavior. Latino students and students with disabilities also face disproportionate suspensions.
This is a critical issue for students who have experienced trauma. Schools need to be given the tools to keep children in the classroom, and provide stable learning environments. Kicking students out of classrooms for minor behavioral offenses further isolates these students from the resources they need to heal, learn, and thrive.
SB 607 takes a positive step in this direction.
To sign on, you can either go to his link here.
Thank you,
Gail Yen
Health Policy Associate, Children Now
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