Suspensions dropped 20 percent nationally between 2011 and 2014 , according to the U . S . Department of Education , and in many states the reductions were even more dramatic , including California .

However , despite making progress , states continue to struggle to reduce disparities in the use of school discipline for youth of color . In addition , educators and parents have pushed back against school discipline reforms , arguing that efforts to limit suspensions have led to more disruptions in the classroom .

The Council of State Governments

Justice Center released a report , “ Realizing the Full Vision of School Discipline Reform : A Framework for Statewide Change ,” documenting how five states have reduced their reliance on suspensions while moving toward a more comprehensive vision of school discipline reform – one that ensures that efforts to limit disciplinary removals from the classroom are combined with strategies to foster supportive learning environments .

“ Findings from deep dives into our data have helped us bring about legislative change and have also been a driving factor

Region 19 in action . Region 19 ’ s Leadership Assembly group met in September . Above , they proudly display their ACSA region apparel advertising Region President Diane Perez ’ s theme for the year “ Communicating Excellence Through Authentic Leadership .” in our ongoing efforts to secure state education funding to address school discipline issues and help create supportive learning environments ,” said Gordon Jackson , director of the Coordinated Student Support Division at the California Department of Education . “ We ’ re happy to join these other states in sharing the knowledge that we ’ ve gained from our efforts to help all students succeed .”

In early 2017 , the CSG Justice Center convened legislators and education leaders from California , Connecticut , Illinois , North Carolina and Tennessee . While each of the states featured in the report have pursued a unique combination of approaches over five years to reduce suspensions , three common strategies were at the core of their success :

• Each state collected and analyzed comprehensive school discipline data from their systems .

• They regularly shared school discipline metrics with policymakers , educational leaders and the public .

• And they used that data to drive and shape legislative and administrative improvements .

The report also offers recommendations for applying this data-driven approach to ensure that school discipline reforms not only reduce suspensions , but also foster supportive learning environments and ultimately improve outcomes for all students .

“ All students deserve to feel a sense of belonging and to feel well known and well cared for in our schools ,” said Illinois Superintendent of Education Tony Smith . “ Safe and inclusive school environments are critical to student learning .”

“ Every time a student walks through the doors of one of our schools , both they and their teachers should expect a safe , positive learning environment . The lessons in this report are ones that we are still learning from and are useful for all states ,” said Connecticut Department of Education Commissioner Dianna Wentzell .

The CSG Justice Center also announced partnerships with two states – Nevada and Ohio – to assess current statewide school discipline policies , practices and data collection activities using the framework detailed in the report and provide the states with recommendations for advancing a more holistic approach to improving school engagement and learning outcomes for all students .

Visit the CSG Justice Center at https :// csgjusticecenter . org . Access the report at https :// goo . gl / YMhcUf .

January 23-24 , 2018 | Monterey

A Superintendents ’ Symposium Pre-Conference

REGISTRATION https :// goo . gl / tgKQTZ

ACSA ’ s annual Superintendents ’ Symposium is returning to its Monterey location and will be convening Jan . 24-26 , 2018 . This event is designed to bring together the state ’ s top education leaders for three days of networking and professional development . In addition to the Symposium , two pre-conference workshops will be held to offer additional learning for brand-new and experienced superintendents . The New Superintendents Seminar Series will hold its third session of the 2017-18 school year at the Superintendents ’ Symposium . Any first- or second-year superintendent who has not yet participated in the seminar series should consider attending the session Jan . 23-24 . At this third session , new superintendents will hear from other sitting superintendents on topics such as working with the participants on board / superintendent relations ; techniques for building board agendas , avoiding Brown Act violations , communicating during contract negotiations , leading forward , superintendent contracts ; superintendent evaluations ; navigating the district budget ; contributing to principal effectiveness and managing a district ’ s message . Presenters are experienced superintendents , including Greg Franklin of Tustin USD ; David Vierra of Antelope Valley JUHSD ; Michael Lynn of Corona-Norco USD ; 2017 ACSA Superintendent of the Year Mary Sieu of ABC USD ; Brad Mason of Brea-Olinda USD ; Candace Singh of Fallbrook SD and Michael McCormick of Val Verde USD . The current superintendents will be joined in their presentations depending on the topic by Peter Fagen of Fagen Friedman and Fulfrost ; Greg Dannis of Dannis Woliver Kelley ; Michael Fine of FCMAT ; and Ted Lai of Apple , Inc . For experienced superintendents , a pre-conference workshop titled Leading During Lean Times will be offered Jan . 23 and the morning of Jan . 24 . California superintendents live in the fast lane and there are always hazards ahead . Leading During Lean Times is designed to help superintendents stay on the track and avoid hitting the wall during the next downturn . These lively sessions are peppered with a mix of familiar faces , topical experts and successful superintendent presenters . The workshop offerings focus on three key elements of superintendent success : the board , the budget and collective bargaining , using the Great Recession as a backdrop . The governor has been clear ; we are going to have another recession at some point , and it likely will arrive when least expected . This pre-conference workshop is your lifeline to best practices , success stories and resources to help your district thrive even during lean times . To select either of these pre-conferences with your registration , follow the registration link at www . acsa . org / suptsymposium . The Superintendents ’ Symposium kicks off at noon on Jan . 24 with keynote speaker Lolly Daskal , who will present a remarkably powerful system she uses to help top executives harness the virtues of their leadership style . The day ends with a sponsored reception at the Monterey Bay Aquarium . Thursday features keynote speaker Tom Murray , director of Innovation for Future Ready Schools , who will help superintendents understand the needs of students in today ’ s schools , so that they can be prepared for the jobs of the future . Thursday also features our Retirement Luncheon with Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson giving words of appreciation to the retiring superintendents of California . In addition to these stellar keynote addresses , the symposium also features strands of workshops , panel presentations and roundtable discussions on topics including : Sharpening Business Practices , Inspiring Effective Instruction , Fostering Climate and Culture , Leading Through Innovation , Promoting Educational Excellence , Building Leadership Capacity , Developing Human Capital , and a special strand for Small District Superintendents . Visit the symposium website at www . acsa . org / suptsymposium to view sessions as they are added to the schedule .