The National Association of State Boards of Education (NASBE) seeks applicants to join a network of state boards of education dedicated to improving school climate and student discipline. The State Initiatives to Improve School Climate and Discipline stipend project expands NASBE’s mission to strengthen the capacity of state boards of education to promote excellence in the education of all students and to advocate equality of access to educational opportunity. The project is funded through the support of Open Society Foundations. All state boards of education who are members of NASBE are eligible to apply for a stipend of up to $8,000 over six months.
New data from the Civil Rights Data Collection (CRDC) revealed that students of certain racial and ethnic groups and students with disabilities receive higher rates of punitive or exclusionary punishment than their peers. Black students represent 16 percent of the student population, but received more than one-third of all suspensions during the school year. American Indian and Native-Alaskan students represent less than 1 percent of the student population but 2 percent of out-of-school suspensions and 3 percent of expulsions. Black students with disabilities are also more likely than their peers to receive out-of-school suspension. Such racial disparities are not due to more frequent or more serious incidents of misconduct by students of color. Rather, the data reveal there is significant racial discrimination in school discipline.
Zero-tolerance and other forms of exclusionary discipline adversely impact teaching and learning for all students. Schools that rely heavily on exclusionary discipline as to maintain order and school safety typically receive lower school climate ratings from students, teachers, parents and communities. When students are excluded from school for behavior that does not threaten school safety, they lose important instruction time, which lowers attendance, graduation rates, and academic performance. This is particularly true for low-income students and students of color.
State education agencies that regularly review school climate and discipline data can ensure that educational opportunities are maximized for all students. However, the lack of coordination and communication between the state education agency and local jurisdictions make it difficult for policymakers to get a clear, comprehensive picture of school climate and student achievement across the state. Furthermore, the misinterpretation of federal law as well as the insufficient collection and review of data may result in a violation of students’ civil rights.
The State Initiatives to Improve School Climate, Safety, and Discipline project will highlight the state’s role in holding districts accountable for providing equal educational opportunities to all students and making sure schools administer discipline without discrimination. NASBE will work with states to demonstrate the need for appropriately designed and integrated state-level school climate and discipline data systems and develop state-level action plans to improve policies and practices. These plans will include a comprehensive review of data across the state, identification of exemplary models of excellence in school climate and discipline practices, and a commitment to support struggling districts and hold them accountable for closing persistent gaps.
All stipend recipients will employ the following strategies that will result an action plan at the end of the six-month grant period:
- Assessment of Policies. Review the state’s data collection and reporting policies.
- Assessment of School Climate and Discipline Data Systems. Review the state’s infrastructure for collecting and reviewing data and providing technical assistance to local districts.
- Strengthening Partnerships. The state board of education along with the state education agency will work collaboratively with local education agencies and school administrators to strengthen communication at all system levels.
- Development of an Action Plan. Develop a technical assistance plan that includes a concrete timetable and clearly defined steps to recognize exemplary districts and schools and supports districts that need help improving school climate and discipline.
- Collaborate Across the Network. Each stipend recipient will attend NASBE’s annual conference and participate in virtual discussions and webinars to build a knowledge network of state policymakers.
Read more about the State Initiatives to Improve School Climate and Discipline stipend project and instructions for applying. All proposals are due to NASBE by 5:00 p.m. EDT, Wednesday, September 9, 2015, and are to be sent to kimberly.charis@nasbe.org.