As School Discipline Disparities Rise, LCCR Releases Toolkit for Families and Educators to Improve Discipline

According to new data released by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, one-year after implementing Massachusetts’ new school discipline law, out-of-school suspension rates are climbing slightly, but especially for students of color, English Language Learners, and Students with Disabilities.

“The last thing we want to see is suspension rates increasing, particularly for our students of color, English language learners and students with disabilities,” said Matthew Cregor, education project director for the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Economic Justice. “Those disparities were already far too great.”

On Thursday, the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Economic Justice released a toolkit designed to educate students, parents and community members about school disciplinary policies and alternatives to suspensions.

“We know how harmful out-of-school suspension is to students’ educations,” Cregor said. “We need to ensure that educators, students and parents have options and alternatives to keep all students in school.”

From the Boston Herald: “Suspensions Increase for At-Risk Students” 

“The disparity has only widened,” Matt Cregor, education project director for the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Economic Justice told the Herald. “We need to make sure our educators, schools and communities have the resources they need to manage their classrooms.”