May 15, 2018

Resources often don't match rhetoric for restorative justice in California schools

While awareness of restorative justice is high among school officials statewide, budgets for programs remain tiny in most school districts.

David Washburn

May 14, 2018

A South LA high school's journey back from the brink

Augustus F. Hawkins High, which is situated at the crossroads of multiple gang territories, almost died at its birth. A commitment to restorative justice helped save it.

David Washburn

May 13, 2018

The rise of restorative justice in California schools brings promise, controversy

Many tout the practice as a groundbreaking alternative to zero-tolerance policies and a way to alleviate discipline disparities, while some say it's being oversold as a quick fix.

David Washburn

May 3, 2018

African-American students with disabilities suspended at disproportionately high rates

Report finds those students lose substantially more instruction time due to discipline than their white counterparts.

Lee Romney

April 3, 2018

California districts to take part in groundbreaking school safety study

Researchers will spend five years studying California schools in order to get a better picture of how they can become places where people feel safer and more connected.

David Washburn

March 21, 2018

California tops in suspension reform, but still not properly targeting disparities, report says

The report finds no other state does a better job than California at holding districts accountable for reducing overall school suspensions. But districts still don't adequately prioritize cuts in suspension rates for students of color and other marginalized groups.

David Washburn

March 20, 2018

How Trump repeal of Obama-era school discipline guidelines could affect California

Civil rights advocates worry that if the Trump administration decides to rescind federal school discipline guidance established in 2014, the action could hamper reform efforts at the local level. Meanwhile, state officials say it would have no real effect on statewide policy.

David Washburn

March 15, 2018

Oakland Unified initiative for African-American girls follows years of focus on the boys

Like the boys’ initiative, the goal is to boost cultural pride and academic performance, lower suspension and dropout rates and create greater understanding of the students’ singular experiences and needs.

Lee Romney

March 13, 2018

Linking a school massacre to Obama-era school discipline policies

President Trump suggests that federal guidelines put forward by the Obama administration encouraging alternatives to suspension and expulsion somehow contributed to the Parkland school massacre.

Louis Freedberg

March 6, 2018

Some California districts are downplaying the National School Walkout as others embrace it

While many districts favor a hands-off approach focused on safety as they prepare for the nationwide protest on March 14 — in which students throughout the country will walk out of class to advocate for gun control — some see it as a teachable moment.

David Washburn

February 28, 2018

Forecast for California school climates remains cloudy without good data, advocates say

School districts are trying a variety of strategies aimed at creating safe and welcoming school environments, but there is controversy over the role and frequency of student surveys, and how to use them.

David Washburn

February 20, 2018

Suspension rates for black male students in California higher for foster youth, rural students

Study finds African-American students make up just over 5 percent of California’s public school enrollment, but account for nearly 18 percent of suspensions, with black boys and young men accounting for most of those.

Lee Romney

February 15, 2018

Countdown to expand ban on ‘willful defiance’ suspensions in California schools

With the current ban on such suspensions for grades K-3 set to expire in July, a bill that would expand the ban to include all schools is making its way through the state Legislature.

David Washburn

January 31, 2018

System of positive rewards to reduce student discipline takes off in California

An estimated 1 in 4 schools in the state are implementing the approach.

Lee Romney

January 24, 2018

California leaders must act to extend progress on school discipline

Legislature has until July 1 to extend ban on suspending students for willful defiance of school authorities, a category that is used too often to punish students for minor infractions

Robert Ross