The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction recently proposed new adjustments to student discipline rules. Their proposal is a significant start to stopping disproportionate disciplinary action among students of color; students from non-English speaking families; students from low income communities; and students with special needs.
However, there are certain modifications EEC as well as 60 other organizations – which include civil rights organizations, legal services providers, education advocates, social service providers, and disability rights organizations – think OSPI should implement.
The new student discipline rules should:
- Require Alternative to Suspension and Expulsion
- Engage Parents in Discipline in a Culturally Appropriate Manner and Ensuring Language Access
- Collect Data on Informal Exclusion
- Ensure Instruction in Education Services and Facilitating Parent Input
- Limit Overly Coercive Behavior Agreements
- Reconcile Definitions of Corporal Punishment with Restraint and Isolation Laws
- Increase Focus on Reducing Disparities for Students with Disabilities
For more check out our summary, and/or the full letter: Discipline Rules Letter to OSPI
