Too loud. Too assertive. Too sexually provocative. Too rebellious. Too grown-up.
Across the country, girls of color are being excluded from school for these subjective infractions, losing crucial class time and learning opportunities. Black girls face the greatest barriers to educational opportunity because of racial and gender biases embedded in school discipline policies, dress codes, and codes of conduct that target their cultural identity. These biases manifest as punishments that have to do with who girls are, not what they do. Amid the uncertainty of a global pandemic and the onset of a historic national reckoning on racism in the United States, school districts are at a tipping point where they must make intentional, concrete policy and financial decisions to address the 400-year legacy of systemic anti-Blackness woven into the fabric of the nation. To help school districts and schools do this important work, The Education Trust has partnered with the National Women’s Law Center to create a new guide to respond to this moment and provide decision-makers with common language and practices they can use to reform exclusionary discipline policies and improve school climates to address the needs of girls of color.
Educators, he said, “shouldn't act impulsively, but rather find out exactly what's going on before they make a decision. Rather than immediately punishing, talk to students and see what their thinking is.”
– Student at McClymonds High School, Oakland
Key findings on school discipline and girls of color
“They always say that we [were] When we left the room it was fine. They just said “Oh, it was just a misunderstanding” and dismissed us. [away].”
– Student at Emiliano Zapata Street Academy, Oakland
What is Restorative Justice?
Restorative justice addresses school-based conflict and violence in a less punitive and more positive way than traditionally used punitive methods and zero tolerance policies. When implemented properly, restorative justice uses evidence-based practices such as discussion circles, also known as restorative or peace circles, to allow all parties to talk about what happened, how they feel about it, and how it has affected everyone involved.
How to create better, safer learning environments for girls of color
Racial disparities in school discipline are not inevitable. Using the checklist provided in this guide, policymakers, advocates, and school leaders can work together to address these disparities. This checklist should be used to evaluate existing systems and make changes to build positive school climates where students feel safe, have supportive academic and physical environments, experience positive social and emotional growth, and develop respectful, trusting, and caring relationships.