Despite Ban, ‘Willful Defiance’ Suspensions Remain a Disciplinary Tool

For Jayshawn Yancey, school represented more than education; it was a refuge from an abusive foster home. Having lost his mother at age four and never knowing his father, Yancey’s struggles emerged in school through aggressive behavior, eventually earning him the label of a troubled student. “I probably fought at every level,” he reflects at 26, attributing his conduct to unresolved anger from his abusive background.Middle school escalated his challenges, culminating in a detrimental half-day schedule imposed by school officials, depriving him of valuable learning opportunities. Despite California's stance against suspensions for “willful defiance,” data indicates that districts like Elk Grove and Sacramento City still suspended numerous students for non-violent behaviors. Yancey experienced ongoing setbacks, finding himself unsupervised on the streets whenever he was sent home.Now a youth engagement consultant with the RAGE Project, Yancey aims to provide support to marginalized youth, serving as a mentor to prevent others from facing similar adversities. His journey illustrates a broader crisis of school discipline and equity in education.(Photo Courtesy of Jayshawn Yancey)