FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 7, 2016
Contact: Jeralyn Cave, 202-728-9557
Email: [email protected]
National Coalition Urges Passage of New York School Discipline
Reform Legislation in Wake of U.S. Department of Education Civil
Rights Data Findings
A Press Statement from the New York Coalition for Safe & Supportive Schools
NEW YORK CITY - A coalition of national, statewide and local organizations today urged passage of A.8396,
the Judge Judith S. Kaye Safe and Supportive School Act, New York legislation aimed at promoting positive school
climates and reducing racial discipline disparities. Their remarks come on the heels of new national data released by
the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Eights (OCR) showing persistent racial disparities in student
suspensions and expulsions. Though schools reduced suspensions by 20 percent in the 2013-2014 school year, data
also shows that schools in communities of color have more robust police presences.
“The recent findings released by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights reflect
what parents, students and community leaders already know: persistent racism still exists in our
schools,” said Martha Kamber, CEO and president of YWCA Brooklyn. “This is why the YWCA
Brooklyn is part of a coalition supporting New York’s Safe and Supportive Schools Act, which
works in part to address these inequities that impact educational and economic outcomes of
children of color. School discipline reform is connected to breaking barriers created by implicit bias
and racial prejudice, and as a social justice organization dedicated to eliminating racism and
promoting peace and justice, we are committed to changing school practices so all children receive
an education in an inclusive, just and equitable environment.”
The new report found that Black students in grades K-12 in public schools are 3.8 times as likely to
receive one or more out-of-school suspensions as white students. Research has proven that Black
and Latino students behave no worse than white students but are more frequently and severely
punished due to explicit racism and implicit bias.
“It is clear from OCR data that Black and Brown students are over policed and increasingly
vulnerable to racially-biased discipline policies. Racial discipline disparities are also growing worse,”
said Judith Browne Dianis, Executive Director of Advancement Project. “In the 2011-12 school
year, Black students were 3 times more likely than white students to be suspended. Two years later,
they are nearly 4 times more likely. This is unacceptable and we must continue to support common
sense reforms like those included in the New York legislation.”
“Black and Latino youth are disproportionately suspended and arrested in our schools in New York
City and across the state,” said Isaiah Paulino, youth leader with the Urban Youth Collaborative.
“We need solutions that address the institutional and structural racial inequities persistent in school
discipline. The Judge Judith S. Kaye Safe and Supportive Schools Act addresses those inequities
and is a solution we need.”
"New York must make sure its schoolchildren are being treated with respect and care. Excessive
discipline policies have done enough damage to students of color and students with special needs,”
said Johanna Miller, advocacy director of the New York Civil Liberties Union. “The Safe and
Supportive Schools Act is necessary to ensure that schools nurture, support and educate New
York’s children.”
New York racial discipline disparities mirror national trends. In Buffalo, Rochester and Yonkers
Black students are 2.5 times, 3 times and 4.5 times more likely to be suspended than their white
peers, respectively. Statewide, 21 percent of all Black boys and 14 percent of all Black girls are
suspended from school.
“The U.S. Department of Education data is clear that Black girls are especially vulnerable to
racially-biased discipline and school policing, even as young learners. While Black girls make up
only 20 percent of preschool enrollment, they are half of preschool girls who receive out-of-school
suspensions. When we see such racial disparities in these early years, we know that new approaches
are needed,” said Kim Sweet, Executive Director of Advocates for Children of New York. “The
findings confirm that we must support reforms included in the Safe and Supportive Schools Act
and continue to work on behalf of children who are at greatest risk for school-based discrimination
due to their race.”
“We are committed to changing school climates by encouraging the use of positive and ageappropriate school discipline strategies and dramatically reducing the use of out-of-school
suspensions,” said Karen Blumenthal policy advocate of Student Advocacy. “Passing A. 8396 will
help New York State take concerted action to eliminate racial inequities in school discipline and
end the school-to-prison pipeline.”
“If we want high-quality public schools in the state of New York, we must realign policy and
funding priorities to address the core problem of racial discrimination,” said Billy Easton,
Executive Director of Alliance for Quality Education. “We must invest in teaching, counseling and
student support services and divest from infrastructures that criminalize Black and Brown youth.
This is why it is critical we support issues like the Judge Judith S. Kaye Safe and Supportive Schools
Act, community schools and restorative justice practices.”
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