Parents, Students, Buffalo Residents Gathered to Address Board of Education on Solutions to Suspensions
BUFFALO (October 8, 2014) – A coalition of parents, students, and community members led by Citizen Action of New York and the Alliance for Quality Education demanded that the Board of Education address the racial disparities in suspensions in the Buffalo Public Schools and follow through on its commitment to fully implement the Code of Conduct. This action, taken today at the Buffalo Academy for Visual and Performing Arts, is a part of the National Week Against School Pushout.
Participants at the Board of Education meeting demanded that the district:
• Continues to lower suspensions and increase attendance, especially of students of color and special education
• Continues full implementation of the Code of Conduct
• Increases transparency and release all information about unspent reserves to the public
• Expands the number of schools receiving Restorative Practices training throughout the District
• Works more with organizations and community partners who can help to keep kids safe and in school
• Does more to advocate for increases of state funding
“As a parent in this district, I have a vested interest in making sure that my boys get the quality education that they deserve. Unfortunately, students of color are still being suspended and pushed out of school, and that needs to change,” saidAngelica Rivera, Chair of Education Committee of Citizen Action of New York and the Alliance for Quality Education. “The Board of Education needs to support and make restorative practices a priority so that all students get the opportunity that they deserve.”
According to the Advancement Project, with the new Code of Conduct adopted in 2013, there have been some improvements in the District. Short-term suspensions are down 22% just this year. This is an overall decrease of 36% over the last four years. The majority of schools (60%) saw a decrease in short- term suspension use compared to last year. Some schools experienced a decrease in short-term suspensions by as much as 78% compared to last year. This year, students gained at least 7,433 more instruction days compared to last year.
Still, racial disparities continue to be a problem, especially for black and Latino students. Black and Latino students represent about 70% of the total student population, but make up almost 80% of all suspensions. Although suspensions are down, the vast majority of them continue to be given out for vague, non-violent behaviors such as defiance of authority, disrespectful behavior, disruptions, and minor physical altercations. These behaviors should be handled in school. With more support and training for the staff, administrators, students, and parents, these disparities can be addressed.
“We have great students and teachers, but the gaps need to be filled and that requires support for everyone. When you cut staff and programs, the children suffer and so do teachers,” said Gayla Thompson, Board Member of Citizen Action of New York and the Alliance for Quality Education. “We need to replace suspension with supports like more school counselors, conflict resolution and after school activities.”
“When you suspend a student without addressing the root cause of the behavior, you perpetuate the problem. I can speak from experience about how sitting down, listening, and talking is essential to helping a student to get back on the right track,” said Peter Merrick, Counselor at the International Preparatory School. “We need more people in positions where they can offer support so that students succeed, not less.”
“Restorative practices get to the root of students behavior and addresses the issue so that the behavior is not repeated, thereby reducing the risk of repeat offenders,” said Dina Thompson of the Erie County Restorative Justice Coalition.“We are asking for support and collaboration to move forward on this initiative. This is a city wide effort and we are here to help.”
“I support AQE’s advocacy for increased student support to continue our reduction in suspensions. Our progress is not sustainable without renewed investment in school counselors and social workers,” said Dr. Will Keresztes, Chief of Student Support in the Buffalo Public Schools. “Social needs impact learning needs. Until we have adequately addressed the social needs of our students we will not dramatically impact academic outcomes in our district.”
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