Dignity in Schools Campaign Principles for ESEA Reauthorization

The Elmentary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) is the federal government's main education law. The ESEA allows Congress to provide education funding to states, so long as states and school districts meet certain requirements set out in the law. Last reauthorized during the Bush administration as No Child Left Behind, the ESEA is currently up for reauthorization.

Students of color, students from low-income communities, and students with disabilities continue to be treated inequitably in the U.S. education system. Because the ESEA was originally passed to address just such disparities, Congress’s reauthorization of the ESEA must focus on ensuring equitable treatment of these groups. Anything less not only exacerbates the ongoing pushout crisis but also turns its back on the very purpose and spirit of this landmark legislation.

On March 26, 2010 the DSC submitted a letter, signed by over 100 organizations and individuals, to the US House Committee on Education and Labor outlining our four key recommendations for creating accountability for school discipline policies and creating support for schools and districts to implement positive, effective models for creating positive school climates.

The DSC Recommends the Following Steps in Reauthorization:

1. Congress should mandate the annual reporting of school discipline and climate data for all schools.

2. Congress should provide increased support for best practices in improving school discipline and climate – especially in turning around the lowest-achieving schools.

3.  Signs of poor school climate – high disciplinary rates in particular – should trigger assistance and support from local and state educational agencies.

4. Congress should create a discretionary grant program to fund the development and implementation of comprehensive local or regional strategies to reduce the use of exclusionary school discipline and the number of youth entering the juvenile and criminal justice systems.

- You can read more about the letter here.

DSC Supported Legislation:

The Successful, Safe and Healthy Students Act (S. 919) (Harkin, D-IA)

The SSHSA provides a smarter, cost-effective approach for supporting the health and success of students and schools. Like the current Safe and Drug-Free Schools Act, this bill provides funding for efforts to promote physical and mental health, address bullying and harassment through preventive and positive practices, counter school violence and drug-use, and improve school climate. Unlike current law, the SSHSA will better target funding to the needs of districts and provide parents and educators the data they need to address issues unique to each school. This bill includes funding and technical assistance for implementing positive, preventive approaches to school discipline like restorative justice and school wide positive behavior supports.

Positive Behavior for Safe and Effective Schools Act

School wide positive behavior supports (SWPBS) is an evidence-based approach to school discipline that’s used in over 10,000 schools across the country. SWPBS is shown to reduce disciplinary referrals, improve school attendance rates, support gains in academic achievement, and improve teacher perceptions of safety and morale. This bill highlights SWPBS as an appropriate use of federal funds under several titles of the ESEA. The bill would also enable the US Department of Education to provide increased training to districts in best practices for school discipline.

Restorative Justice in Schools Act (H.R. 415)(Cohen, D-TN)

Restorative justice is an innovative approach to conflict resolution which shows promising results throughout the country and abroad. The Restorative Justice in Schools Act would allow school districts to use ESEA funding to train teachers and counselors in restorative justice and conflict resolution and help save countless hours lost to school discipline each school year.

Fact Sheets on Federal Legislation:

House Legislation - Positive Behavior for Safe and Effective Schools and Restorative Justice in Schools Acts
Senate Legislation - Successful, Safe and Healthy Student Act

DSC Letter to Congress:

The DSC regularly submits letters and statements to Congress and the Obama administration on key issues related to ESEA reauthorization and federal education policy.

Meaningful education reform must prioritize equitable and positive learning environments for our nation’s children.
As parents, students, educators, and advocates, we firmly believe that our nation’s “graduation rate crisis” is in reality a “pushout” crisis.  It will never be resolved, and our “achievement gap” disparities never closed, until our schools are called on to improve student engagement and reduce reliance on exclusionary discipline.

Letter to the Department of Education on Waivers for No Child Left Behind, 9/2011
Letter to the Office of Safe and Drug Free Schools on the Safe and Supportive Schools Program, 5/2011
Sign on Letter to Senate HELP Committe on ESEA and the Whole Child, 4/2010
Sign on Letter to Congress with 4 Key Recommendations for ESEA Reauthorization, 3/2010