The Research Working Group of the DSC compiles resources for advocates, educators, community organizers and lawyers to share information about the pushout problem and build alliances for combating pushout across the country.
Materials
Alternative Schools and Pushout: A Research and Advocacy Guide
A Collaborative Publication of the Dignity in Schools Campaign, Fall 2007
This guide was developed after the DSC held a tele-conference call in May 2007 on alternative schools and pushout. It includes summaries of research on alternative schools, an advocacy checklist of steps to take when a child is a referred to an alternative school, and legal strategies for challenging alternative schools that are not ensuring the right to quality education for students.
National Action Strategies
Alternatives to Zero-Tolerance Working Group
The DSC is currently developing national action strategies for promoting positive alternatives to zero-tolerance discipline, such as Positive Behavior Intervention and Support (PBIS) methods, restorative pratices, conflict resolution and mediation programs, and cultural competency training for school staff.
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 formed to develop educational materials for advocates about PBIS and other alternatives, and to research federal and state-level legislative proposals.
PBIS aims to prevent conflict and behavior problems, along with student suspensions and other extreme punishment, by making sure students understand what is expected of them and helping students meet those expectations. This approach provides assistance for students with chronic behavior problems and seeks to involve families and the community.
To get involved email alternatives@dignityinschools.org.
Website
The Research Working Group develops content for the www.dignityinschools.org website. We are currently gathering resources in two areas:
- Research on Pushout and Effective Alternatives – we are compiling summaries of research studies, news articles and advocacy reports to better understand how and why students are being pushed out of school; and to understand effective models to prevent pushout.
- Interviews of Groups on Legal and Advocacy Strategies – we are gathering information at the local level from advocates, organizers, educators and lawyers about effective policy, legislative and organizing strategies for how to combat pushout
This website is a work in progress and we are continuously looking to include more resources. If you have suggestions for articles to include or information about local strategies being used in your community please contact Liz Sullivan.