District-level reform pattern: data transparency, defiance-suspension bans, and restorative infrastructure¶
Design · All designs
Evidence · 3 claims (1 for, 2 mixed) · 2 studies (2 causal),q2–q3· 0 of 2 report an effect size · 3 claims rest on one study
Description¶
The guide identifies a reusable district-level pattern of policy changes: "Oakland has implemented a few practices that other districts across the country can adopt or adapt to improve schools for Latina and Black girls." The pattern includes making discipline data by race and gender publicly available, banning suspensions for willful defiance, prohibiting suspension or police referral for dress code violations, requiring community input, maintaining centrally supported restorative justice programs, providing professional development on classroom management, and investing in school-based health centers. Chicago implements a parallel set including student-led disciplinary proceedings and ending early-grade suspensions.
Design Implications¶
Context¶
Requirements¶
- Central office support for restorative justice, including coordinators and counselors
- Regular review of discipline data with action to address disparities
Constraints¶
- Implementation inconsistencies at the school level persisted in Oakland
- Chicago kept a $33 million annual school police contract in 2020
Target Learners¶
- K–12 students, especially Black, Latina, and Native girls
Learning Goals¶
- Positive school climate
- Equitable discipline
- Reduced lost instructional time
Claims¶
- The School District of Philadelphia reformed its student code of conduct in 2012-2013 to prohibit suspensions and expulsions for two types of non-violent student conduct [+W]
- In schools that did not fully implement the district-level suspension reform, peer math achievement declined and attendance decreased [~W]
- Peer outcomes following a district suspension reform varied with school-level implementation [~W]
Related Designs¶
Examples¶
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Key Sources¶
- “...and they cared”: How to create better, safer learning environments for girls of color. (2020). National Women’s Law Center & The Education Trust. https://nwlc.org
Page metadata
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
type |
design |
id |
district-discipline-reform-pattern-oakland-chicago |
title |
District-level reform pattern: data transparency, defiance-suspension bans, and restorative infrastructure |
description |
The guide identifies a reusable district-level pattern of policy changes: "Oakland has implemented a few practices that other districts across the country can adopt or adapt to improve schools for Latina and Black gir... |
status |
review |
generated |
by process:settle-candidates on 2026-10-10 |
trust |
unverified — no one has confirmed this page's content |
sources |
1 — and-they-cared-how-to-create-better-2020 |
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