Statute Could Trim Black Student Suspension Rates

By Michael Pepper and Malachi Parker | Special To The OBSERVER Courtesy of iStock A new law seeks to cut down on school suspensions and keep more children in the classroom. The law prohibits suspensions for “willful defiance,” tardiness and truancy in public schools for grades 6-12. Previous legislation gave the same protections to elementary and middle school students. Senate Bill 274 is an extension of Sen. Nancy Skinner’s initial plan to prevent suspensions for willful defiance for kids in grades K-5. Advocates say willful defiance has been labeled as actions like talking back, wearing a hat, or excessive talking in the classroom. Most of these actions happen in a classroom daily, yet suspension is not the solution for every kid, they argue. Advocates also point out that “defiance” suspensions disproportionately affect students of color, keeping them away from class and limiting their ability to learn. The law also adds requirements that administrators document disciplinary or other interventions in the students’ records, but also requires administrators to report their actions and their reasoning to the referring teacher or administrator. The OBSERVER’s two-part series “California’s Black Suspension Capital” revealed that Sacramento County suspended more Black students per capita than any other...