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.
Upcoming Working Group Calls: Incorporating Discipline Reform into the Reauthorization of No Child Left Behind/Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)
The Dignity in Schools Campaign's Alternatives to Zero Tolerance Working Group is looking for ways to incorporate school discipline reform into the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (No Child Left Behind). The Working Group is holding a series of calls throughout the next month - the first calls starting this week - to identify our priorities and develop our recommendations and strategies. All are welcome to join as many calls as they'd like (see call times below). In Mid-March, once the Working Group has finalized its recommendations, we'll hold a full Dignity in Schools Campaign teleconference to present our recommendations and plans to move forward. We hope to build consensus on our proposed changes to the law and identify ways we can all work together - both in DC and in local districts nationwide - to spur Congress to address the overuse of suspensions, expulsions, and arrests in our schools and provide support for proven, proactive methods for improving school safety and school climate.
The Elementary and Secondary Education Act is the federal government's overarching education law, providing federal funds in return for states' compliance with federal requirements for primary and secondary education. First passed during the Johnson administration, the law was reauthorized and renamed under George W. Bush's administration as No Child Left Behind. The Obama administration would like to see significant changes to the law (see a New York Times article here), and is encouraging its reauthorization in 2010 by including a planned amendment to its proposed FY2011 budget that would add an additional $1B in education funds should the law be reauthorized this year. There are several other legislative priorities that Congress may address before turning its attention to reathorization - perhaps postponing reauthorization until 2011. However, the US Department of Education is currently drafting the version of the ESEA it would like to see passed, and many education organizations and campaigns have identified/ are identifying their priorities and are looking for ways to get changes made to the law during reauthorization. To see changes to the way the law handles school discipline, we need to be ready to move on these issues - both in DC and locally - before Congress is.
This week, we'll hold small group calls to address particular discipline-related topics in reauthorization. These small groups will meet throughout the next month and we'll post meeting times on the DSC website for those interested. The small group topics are:
Accountability for Disciplinary Rates
Time: Thursday, 2/18, 3pm est / 12pm pst (one hour)
Facilitator: Matt Cregor
Description: Group will discuss options for including discipline rates as an accountability measure akin to those listed in NCLBs Adequate Yearly Progress provisions. Group will also discuss using discipline as a measure for teacher and principal effectiveness under ESEA as well as options for incorporating positive approaches to discipline into provisions for school turnaround and other federal grants.
Call-in #: 605-477-2100 Passcode:194173#
Data Collection
Time: Friday, 2/19, 3pm est / 12pm pst (one hour)
Facilitator: Udi Ofer
Description: Group will discuss possibilities for requiring states/ districts/schools to report disciplinary data under ESEA. Types of disciplinary data and means of reporting will be discussed.
Call-in #: 605-477-2100 Passcode:194173#
Local and Federal Advocacy Strategies
Time: Friday, 2/19, 4pm est / 1pm pst (one hour)
Facilitators: Jim Freeman, Kimi Lee, Dan Losen
Description: Group will develop complementary local and federal ESEA advocacy strategies and outreach plans. Group will identify opportunities for local efforts to inform national debate and identify potential next steps and allies in Congress, ED, and other campaigns.
Group will brainstorm materials needed to support local and federal advocacy efforts.
Call-in #: 605-477-2100 Passcode:194173#
Click HERE for a link to materials for the call - the Civil Rights Project's recommendations for incorporating discipline reform into the ESEA
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.
More information on Race to the Top.
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
Positive Behavior Supports: A Wise Investment of Economic Stimulus Funds
A publication of Southern Poverty Law Center and Dignity in Schools Campaign
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 IIRPOther 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
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, LAUSDOther 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