UPDATE 3/8/2017: There is a floor amendment that defeats the intent of this bill. It would allow students to be removed from school for up to 12 or 18 days a year (depending on whether semesters or trimesters are used). In a district like Seattle Public Schools, that means young learners could be removed on average twice a month. The Arc of King County cannot support if this amendment passes.
Organizations working to curb suspensions and expulsions in the K-2 grades need help getting a bill to the Senate floor for a vote. Following is a letter composed by the ACLU that they are sending (reprinted with permission). It has some excellent talking points that you can use with your state senators. The Arc of King County has signed on.
Organizations working to curb suspensions and expulsions in the K-2 grades need help getting a bill to the Senate floor for a vote. Following is a letter composed by the ACLU that they are sending (reprinted with permission). It has some excellent talking points that you can use with your state senators. The Arc of King County has signed on.
YOU CAN HELP:
Contacting your senator is especially helpful if they are on the Rules Committee. (See list of King County senators on Rules, at the end of this post.)
Contacting your senator is especially helpful if they are on the Rules Committee. (See list of King County senators on Rules, at the end of this post.)
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Every child deserves the
opportunity to receive a quality education. They deserve the chance to stay in
school even when they make mistakes, and they should be able to trust that
their school is committed to helping them access learning opportunities.
In Washington State, however, K-2
suspensions and expulsions have gone up 40% since 2013. During the 2015-2016
school year, 5,000 students were suspended or expelled. Most students who are
suspended or expelled at this age have disabilities, are students of color,
and/or are experiencing some form of violent trauma. In effect, we are removing
the children with the greatest life challenges from opportunities for academic
and social learning.
Suspending or expelling young
children does not work to change behavior. Instead, it can set students back
for life, preventing them from forming a lifelong positive connection to
academic achievement, teachers, and school. This leaves them 10 times more
likely to be held back a grade, drop out of high school, and face
incarceration.
Instead, schools and districts
should develop policies that support students with behavioral challenges.
“There has to be a better way, and I know it starts with education and training of teachers. Schools that commit to a trauma-informed care framework can meet the children where they are and have the tools and empathy to support them, instead of using punitive measures to shelter other children from their existence.”
–Parent of
recently expelled 2nd grader (anonymous for DV reasons)
SB 5155 would prohibit suspension
and expulsion of students in kindergarten through second grade, except in the
case of bringing a gun to school. It would instead require schools and
districts to develop policies and procedures for supporting students with behavioral
challenges, and encourage them to invest in evidence-based approaches such as
trauma-informed schools, social-emotional learning, positive behavioral supports
and intervention, and restorative practices.
We, the undersigned, urge you to
bring SB 5155 to the floor. We have a real opportunity to ensure that all
children, regardless of race, class, gender expression, disability, or housing
situation, have a chance to form a lifelong connection to learning.
Thank you.
(List of organizations)
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RULES COMMITTEE CONTACTS
This bill needs to pass the Senate before it can go to the House for consideration. The Senate Rules Committee decides whether and in what order bills should be considered for a floor vote. King County senators on Rules include:
Senator Maralyn Chase (D), 32nd LD, (360)
786-7662
