Rev. Dr. Robert Spicer’s Post

West Virginia lawmakers have considered sweeping, punitive school discipline measures over the last two years in response to an increase in disruptive student behaviors. This issue is not unique to West Virginia—87 percent of public schools nationwide report that the pandemic has negatively impacted student socioemotional development. While teachers and schools certainly need more support to address student behavioral issues, policymakers must recognize the harms in failing to address the root causes of these behavioral issues as well as the disproportionate rate at which punishment policies fall on students of color. Learn more in our new fact sheet: https://lnkd.in/ei3zHnWX

The Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education's Racial Imbalance Advisory Council published a new report finding over 225,000 students in segregated schools. "Since 1965, Massachusetts school districts have been required under state law to eliminate and prevent racial imbalances in its schools, especially when drawing or altering geographic boundaries around schools that determine which students can attend, establishing grade levels, and selecting new school sites. But a series of court rulings and legal challenges nationwide in the 1990s and early 2000s created a murky legal landscape that left many school officials wondering whether they could use race as a factor at all in school assignments, and many, including Boston, abandoned them." Read the full article in the Boston Globe: https://lnkd.in/dbxdv8AZ

My co-founder is providing free emotional wellness workshops for Black college women in Ohio <3

Supreme Court Provides Guidance for School Diversity Initiatives in Premier Programs Admissions Overhaul A recent ruling by the Supreme Court concerning a prestigious magnet school in Northern Virginia has ignited a nationwide discourse and introspection. Schools are now wrestling with the task of diversifying their student populations while adhering to legal guidelines, leading to a substantial shift in admissions policies. Across the country, school districts face the harsh truth of underrepresentation, especially among Black and Hispanic students, in their premier academic programs. The latest legal precedents, including those set by the Supreme Court on affirmative action, have educators and policymakers seeking new methods to cultivate diversity without violating legal boundaries. Insights from the Experts Leading experts in the field, such as Halley Potter and Sonja Starr, are revolutionizing our perception of diversity in education. Their astute analysis of recent court decisions provides a novel outlook on the legal and practical facets of these rulings. By scrutinizing the evolving terrain of educational diversity, they underscore potential tactics for operating within the legal framework. This distinctive perspective is instrume... https://lnkd.in/eJnwQ7_t

Important article! Normalize mental health support. ❤️

"Blocking someone else’s expressive rights is not a protected form of speech. Yet surveys found that some on campus approved of violence in the face of ideas with which they disagree." "But with few notable exceptions, lawmakers did not include provisions that required school administrators to consider suspension or expulsion when students de-platformed a speaker or otherwise engaged in violence." "State lawmakers should revisit their conduct codes and require public college administrators to involve law enforcement and consider suspension or expulsion when students destroy school property, injure others, violate free-speech protections or otherwise commit violence." "College educators must teach students the difference between free speech and violence." https://lnkd.in/eN7BxrsN

I am in Ohio for a week of meetings with some great folks doing great things. This morning I want to share how Ohio has taken a positive, strengths-based approach to address chronic absenteeism and discipline. Some highlights: — 6 years ago, the Ohio Legislature passed a bill known as the Supporting Alternatives for Fair Education Act, the law was a comprehensive approach to discipline. — Under the law, the Ohio Bd of Ed must set standards for putting the positive approach to discipline into action. — The positive approach emphasizes prevention over punishment. Studies have shown that schoolwide use of these positive interventions can improve children’s concentration, boost student achievement and increase student engagement. — According to a report from Miami University, the state’s efforts to look on the bright side of discipline have had a happy side effect. Chronic absenteeism – when students miss 10% or more of school days, regardless of the reason – was more than 4 percentage points lower in schools that implemented the positive behavioral approach than in those that did not. A 4% difference can equal hundreds of thousands of kids statewide. Well done, Ohio! #EDLINKS #EducatingTheNewHumanity to #AwakenAndLiftHumanity to #SeeGoodDoBetter

How 3 Utah education leaders are working to repeal an “educational equity” rule for all students LINK: https://lnkd.in/etKVXuPq Hashtags: #Education #Policy #Legislation #HigherLearning #Schools #Students #Teachers

5 Ways To Include Student Voice in Education Policymaking

"In traditional school settings, discipline often follows a punitive model—break a rule and face consequences like detention or suspension. While this approach aims to deter misconduct, it frequently interrupts students’ education ... As a result, a growing number of educational institutions are shifting toward a more holistic approach known as restorative justice. This innovative model focuses on healing, responsibility, and the rebuilding of relationships, offering a more sustainable solution to school discipline." Read the full article here 👉 https://lnkd.in/gX8QJS-F #IIRP #RestorativePractices #RestorativeJustice #Educators #Education #SEL #ClassroomManagement #Teachers #Students #SchoolDiscipline #Suspensions #Change