The Dignity in Schools Campaign (DSC) is currently developing national action strategies for promoting positive alternatives to zero-tolerance discipline, such as Positive Behavior Supports, restorative practices, conflict resolution and mediation programs.
Stimulus Funds and Alternatives to Zero-Tolerance
The federal stimulus bill passed by Congress includes over $100 billion in funding for education and presents an opportunity for states and school districts to invest in school policies and practices that improve school climate and use positive approaches to discipline to keep children in school and improve learning.
New Race to the Top Guidelines, November 2009
New Fact Sheet on Using Race to the Top to Support PBS
The U.S. Department of Education released the state application for the Race to the Top Fund in November 2009, a $4.35 billion dollar competitive grant program created by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) stimulus funding.
In response to recommendations from the Dignity in Schools Campaign and other advocates around the country, the final application guidelines include new language encouraging states to support schools in "implementing approaches to improve school climate and discipline, such as implementing a system of positive behavioral supports (PBS)," and to develop data systems that track school climate programs and discipline (see the summary of Major Changes to Race to the Top).
The attention that Race to the Top pays to school discipline and climate can provide great leverage for state-level advocacy efforts to:
- Expand training capacity at the state-level for schools and districts to improve school climate (e.g., PBS, restorative practices),
- Push for implementation of approaches like PBS and restorative practices in underperforming schools, and
- Collect better state- and district-level data on school discipline and tie it to student and teacher performance.
For more information on Race to the Top visit http://www.ed.gov/programs/racetothetop/index.html
The Dignity in Schools Campaign, together with 24 organizations and over 40 individuals, submitted a letter to Education Secretary Arne Duncan urging the U.S. Department of Education to encourage school districts to invest federal stimulus money in Positive Behavior Supports (PBS), restorative practices and other innovative approaches to improve student behavior and achievement.
Read the Letter and Press Release.
US Department of Education Stimulus Materials - http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/leg/recovery/index.html
Positive Behavior Supports: A Wise Investment of Economic Stimulus Funds
A publication of Southern Poverty Law Center and Dignity in Schools Campaign
Available in PDF and MS Word
DSC Tele-conference: How Students with Disabilities Are Being Pushed Out of School, April 7, 2009
This DSC tele-conference call includes a discussion of "How Education Stimulus Dollars Can Be Used to Solve Part of the Pushout Problem"
Read the powerpoint on Stimulus Funding
Evidence-Based Approaches to Building Positive School Climate and Discipline
Restorative Practices
Improving School Climate: Findings from Schools Implementing Restorative Practices
Research Report from International Institute for Restorative Practices (IIRP)
The Transformation of West Philadelphia High School: A Story of Hope
Video from IIRP
Other resources from the IIRP:
- Restorative Practice - Summary for Stimulus Advocacy
- Research Fact Sheet on Restorative Practices in Schools
- Research Article on Restorative Practices
- IIRP Training Menu
Examples of Discipline Codes incorporating restorative practices:
- Chicago Public Schools Student Code of Conduct 2008-2009
- Denver Public Schools Student Conduct and Discipline Procedures 2008-2009 and Attachments
Positive Behavior Supports
Overview of Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports
Powerpoint Presentation by John Gardner, Illinois PBIS Network
From Grassroots to Policy Implementation: School-wide Positive Behavior Support in Los Angeles
Powerpoint Presentation by Nancy Franklin, LAUSD
Other resources on PBIS:
Examples of Discipline Codes incorporating PBS:
- Los Angeles Unified School District Discipline Foundation Policy for School-wide Positive Behavior Support
Federal Legislative Advocacy
Listen to a recording of the November 2007 DSC tele-conference call:
In November 2007 the DSC held a tele-conference call to discuss pending federal legislation, the Positive Behavior for Effective Schools Act, that would allow school districts to use federal funds for PBIS and other preventive approaches to discipline. After the tele-conference call, the working group has been working to support the PBESA and other legislative tools to promote positive alternatives.
DSC Resources