Author Archives: Suspensionstories

About Suspensionstories

Suspension Stories is a youth-led participatory action research project to understand the school to prison pipeline. This initiative is the result of a collaboration between the Rogers Park Young Women's Action Team (www.rogersparkywat.org) and Project NIA (www.project-nia.org).

“Youth Incarceration Is Down But Not For Youth Of Color”

Posted on April 4, 2014 by Suspensionstories

Digital Journal: “OAKLAND, Calif., April 1, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The National Council on Crime and Delinquency (NCCD) has published a series of reports regarding the dramatic reduction of youth incarceration rates in most US states. The latest data from the US Justice Department showed … Continue reading →

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“At Reedley (CA) High School, Suspensions Drop 40%, Expulsions 80% In Two Years”

Posted on April 1, 2014 by Suspensionstories

Social Justice Solutions: “In 2009, when the Kings Canyon Unified School District in California’s rural Central Valley offered its 19 schools the opportunity to adopt a system that would reduce school suspensions and expulsions, Reedley High School jumped at the chance. Today, … Continue reading →

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Radio Times: Experts & Educators Discuss Suspensions, Expulsions & Arrests of Minority Students

Posted on March 31, 2014 by Suspensionstories

Radio Times: “Guests: Harold Jordan, Deborah Klehr and Matthew Steinberg New information released by the Department of Education shed more light on a disturbing difference when it comes to school discipline — minority students are suspended at a much higher … Continue reading →

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Classroom exclusion starts as early as preschool

Posted on March 29, 2014 by Suspensionstories

Electronic Urban Report: “Between the Lines: Report on Increasing Black Student Class Exclusions is Troubling *Last week, a new report offered a renewed look at a persistent problem in how public education is failing our children. Disproportionately excluding black children … Continue reading →

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National Education Association Promotes Restorative Justice in Schools & Have Released a New Toolkit

Posted on March 26, 2014 by Suspensionstories

National Education Association: NEA and Partners Promote Restorative Justice in Schools “Educators cannot stand by as tens of thousands of African-American, Latino, and other students get pushed out of school for minor disciplinary infractions, said NEA President Dennis Van Roekel, … Continue reading →

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“Sensible Policy, Not Smaller Handcuffs”

Posted on March 24, 2014 by Suspensionstories

ACLU: “You may have heard recently about Dontadrian Bruce, the Mississippi high-school student who was almost expelled for holding up the number “3” with his fingers in a photo taken by his science teacher. Dontradian is number 3 on the football … Continue reading →

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14 Disturbing Stats About Racial Inequality in American Public Schools

Posted on March 22, 2014 by Suspensionstories

The Nation: “Comprehensive data released Friday by the US Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights offers a striking glance at the extent of racial inequality plaguing the nation’s education system. Analysts found that black, Latino and Native American students have less access to … Continue reading →

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“Students Draw Attention to Wake Schools Disciplinary Policies”

Posted on March 19, 2014 by Suspensionstories

ABC Local: “CARY, N.C. (WTVD) — Wake County high school students sent a powerful message to school board members Tuesday evening. Students have criticized school disciplinary policies in the past, but, now, they were advocating for a classmate in jail. Some … Continue reading →

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Madison La Follette’s Restorative Justice Program Empowers Students to Change Behavior

Posted on March 19, 2014 by Suspensionstories

The Capital Times: “There’s no question that discipline practices that let students own up to their mistakes and find a way to make amends help them avoid messing up again, say students at Madison La Follette High School who guide … Continue reading →

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“Video–BYP100: Black Youth, Black Police & Transformative Justice”

Posted on March 18, 2014 by Suspensionstories

Black Youth Project: Members of BYP100, a black youth activist organization, have a dialogue with a black police officer after being profiled on Princeton University’s campus, where they had convened for a conference. Watch the dialogue here:

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“Black, Disabled Students More Likely to Face School Suspension, Report Finds”

Posted on March 17, 2014 by Suspensionstories

Atlanta Black Star: “A so-called school-to-prison pipeline flows from school discipline that lands disproportionately on students with disabilities and students of color, according to a set of reports by 26 experts released on Thursday. African-American students and students with disabilities are … Continue reading →

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“Zero-Tolerance Strikes Again: Holding Up Three Fingers in a Photo Got This 15-Year-Old Suspended”

Posted on March 14, 2014 by Suspensionstories

Take Part: “Dontadrian Bruce is the kind of kid the U.S. Departments of Education and Justice might have had in mind when they released the new school disciplinary guidelines in January. The new federal approach urges schools to move away from harsh … Continue reading →

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