10/05/2021
This article explains why systemic racism and oppression remains in our schools.
"There are six reasons or flaws that explain why schools have been unable to address disproportionate discipline referrals for students of color over the past 40 or more years.
-Reason/Flaw #1. Educational leaders have tried to change the disproportionate numbers through policy and not practice.
-Reason/Flaw #2. State Departments of Education (and other educational leaders) have promoted whole-school programs that are unproven or have critical scientific flaws.
-Reason/Flaw #3. Districts and schools have implemented frameworks that target conceptual constructs, rather than instruction that teaches social, emotional, and behavioral skills.
-Reason/Flaw #4. Districts and schools have not recognized that classroom management and teacher training, supervision, and evaluation are keys to decreasing disproportionality; and they are depending on Teacher Training Programs to equip their teachers with effective classroom management skills.
-Reason/Flaw #5. Schools and staff have tried to motivate students to change their behavior when they have not learned, mastered, or are unable to apply the social, emotional, and behavioral skills needed to succeed.
-Reason/Flaw #6. Districts, schools, and staff do not have the knowledge, skills, and resources needed to implement the multi-tiered (prevention, strategic intervention, intensive need/crisis management) social, emotional, and/or behavioral services, supports, and interventions needed by some students."
This is the first Blog in a two-part series on how districts and schools can successfully eliminate disproportionate discipline referrals and actions for students of color. We first review Critical Race Theory, the politics behind it and the practical implications for teachers and administrators, an...
