Secrets to Success: Effective Alternatives to Out-of-School Suspension
Secrets to Success: Effective Alternatives to Out-of-School Suspension
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BCEC, Meeting Room 151AB
Exclusionary discipline practices, including out-of-school suspensions, negatively impact students’ academic progress and social-emotional wellbeing, and disproportionately affect students of color and those with disabilities. Some states now require schools to consider and document alternatives to out-of-school suspension prior to a student’s removal from the learning environment. In this workshop, we will (1) explore ways to integrate best practices for suspension alternatives to effectively balance student engagement in the learning process and school safety, culture, and climate considerations; (2) consider how to align suspension alternatives to relevant student discipline and related requirements, such as special education laws; and (3) share tools to empower and support school staff in their use of positive interventions and strategies.
Fireside Chat
Lead
The Changing Landscape of Education
Participants will understand how student disciplinary removals frequently result in negative student outcomes.
Participants will learn about alternative remedies to student removal that are equitable and effective.
Participants will gain meaningful, practical knowledge, and best practices to bring back to their schools.
Scroll down to view handouts.
Presenters
Executive Director
KIPP Massachusetts
Nikki joined the KIPP MA Team and Family in 2013 as a 6th grade humanities teacher at KIPP Academy Boston Middle School. Nikki has spent her professional career teaching in and advocating for public schools. She has over 20 years of classroom experience in elementary, middle and high school.
Attorney
Krokidas & Bluestein LLP
Eric Jordan is an attorney at Krokidas & Bluestein LLP in Boston, MA, where he assists charter schools and other educational institutions with their legal needs in the full range of their operations, including governance, special education, student discipline, employment, and civil rights matters. Eric is also a former educator, having served as a middle school teacher and an instructional advisor in California, and he spent a number of years in the higher education space conducting investigations of discriminatory and harassing conduct.
Attorney
Krokidas & Bluestein LLP
Bettina Toner is an attorney at Krokidas & Bluestein LLP in Boston, Massachusetts. As a member of Krokidas & Bluestein’s Education and Employment practices, Bettina advises Massachusetts public charter schools and other educational entities. Clients rely on her practical guidance across a wide range of sensitive organizational, policy, and student services matters. Bettina also counsels public and private employers, including public charter schools, on critical employment-related issues and resolves disputes involving wage and hour, pay equity, leave, and accommodation matters. A frequent presenter and trainer on a variety of civil rights issues, Bettina also conducts discreet investigations in complex discrimination and harassment matters.
Handouts
Fireside Chat
Lead
The Changing Landscape of Education
Participants will understand how student disciplinary removals frequently result in negative student outcomes.
Participants will learn about alternative remedies to student removal that are equitable and effective.
Participants will gain meaningful, practical knowledge, and best practices to bring back to their schools.
Scroll down to view handouts.