Behavioral Intervention Strategies and Supports
We can keep students in school and hold them accountable. Research on student engagement, academic success, dropout and graduation rates has shown the need to replace punitive discipline practices.Fix School Discipline
Fix School Discipline 
Instead of correcting students’ behavior and making communities and schools safer, the quick removal methods, such as out-of-school suspension and expulsion, deprive students of the chance to receive the education and help that they need, making it more likely that they will drop out of school, enter the criminal justice system, and place their future options in jeopardy. There is a much better way to hold students accountable and keep schools safe.
Fix School Discipline Educator Toolkit
(Flash)
The "How We Can Fix School Discipline Toolkit for Educators" is a step-by-step guide to working together to change harsh discipline rules.
Fix School Discipline - Take Action
Links to California and federal laws requiring the use of alternative to out-of-school discipline.
Suspension Rates and Expulsion Rates
DataQuest is the California Department of Education’s Web Reporting Portal which includes suspension and expulsion rates. The rates are based on individual student records and subgroup information is available using filter selections. Users may view data by race/ethnicity, gender, or grade level at the school, district, county, or state level. Suppression logic is triggered by enrollment counts to ensure privacy protection of students.
California Accountability Model and School Dashboard
Suspension data are included in the California School Dashboard to assist county offices of education, school districts, schools and charter schools to identify areas of improvement in their Local Control and Accountability Plans (LCAPs). Priority 6 of the LCAP should include clear goals and strategies for addressing areas of concern displayed on the California School Dashboard.
Other Means of Correction are Required by California Law
California Education Code (EC) Section 48900.5 provides that suspension, including supervised suspension as described in EC Section 48911.1, shall be imposed only when other means of correction fail to bring about proper conduct.
Workforce Readiness Includes Addressing Barriers (DOCX)
California’s Federal Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act (Perkins V) State Plan includes specific language providing that workforce readiness includes efforts focused on addressing attendance and behavioral challenges. This includes enrolling students in educational options schools and programs, and diverting youth from the school-to-prison pipeline, so that students can eventually obtain and maintain successful jobs. It is important to have a framework of supportive interventions that are designed to be educational and developmental, rather than be punitive, particularly when these supportive interventions are considered within the larger context of workforce readiness. The language also identified educator mindsets and approaches to special populations as a barrier and that professional development is needed to address overall issues of bias and equity. Other sections include language linking counseling supports to address undermining difficulties stemming from social-emotional challenges students have faced.
Restorative Justice Programs as Promising Practices
(Video; 5:46)
Growing Fairness is a short documentary film about “growing” restorative justice practices in public schools, including schools in Oakland, California.
