Use a decision-maker checklist to assess and reform discipline data, policies, and school climate¶

Strategy · All strategies
Evidence · no claims cited

Description¶

The guide provides a checklist so decision-makers can assess what changes they can make to create positive school climates at the school, district, or state level. It instructs leaders to "assess existing systems and make changes to build a positive school climate" covering data disaggregated by race, gender, and disability status; discipline policies minimizing lost instructional time; restorative justice staffing and training; anti-racist, gender-neutral dress codes; harassment policies; counselor ratios; culturally sustaining curriculum; and divestment from school police. Changes often must occur in stages.

Design Implications¶

Context¶

Requirements¶

• Discipline data must be publicly available broken out by race, gender, and disability status
• Districts should solicit community input from students, parents, and advocates

Constraints¶

• These changes do not occur overnight and often must occur in stages

Target Learners¶

• K–12 students, especially Black, Latina, and Native girls

Target Learning Goals¶

• Positive school climate
• Reduced exclusionary discipline
• Social emotional growth

Related Strategies¶

• Restorative Practices

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://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED607322