Racial disparities are evident in both educational outcomes and incarceration rates when comparing African American and white youth. It is essential to understand the school-to-prison pipeline and the ways in which school discipline practices and other factors disproportionately affect African American students, limit educational attainment, and…

All students and their families should know their rights, whether or not they seek to challenge a disciplinary decision. Well-informed students, families, educators and community stakeholders can use this information to advocate for fair disciplinary practices in their school and district. This booklet is based on New Jersey state law. While an…

The rapid expansion of public-school preschool programs significantly challenges America's school administrators, teachers, and school professionals. The complex issues of preschool mental health needs, expulsion, and suspension are at the forefront. In the United States, schools are reporting rapidly increasing numbers of preschool programs,…

Preschoolers are being expelled at an alarming rate and little is known about protective factors. One factor may be the relationship between parents and teachers. Using surveys and interviews, the present study explores teachers' perceptions of parents and center support as they relate to teachers' requests to have a child removed from their…

Minority students and students with disabilities are disciplined disproportionately from their peers. Discipline has led to many negative consequences in the lives of youth in the United States, including the school-to-prison pipeline. In 2014, the U.S. Department of Education issued guidance encouraging school districts to develop policies that…

School discipline disparities in U.S. education is accompanied by a litany of literature that focuses on African Americans in low-performing urban schools (Civil Right Project, 2000; Losen, 2011; Mendez & Knoff, 2003; Skiba, Michael, Nardo & Peterson, 2002; Wilson, 2014). Public K-12 institutions in the U.S. report that African Americans…

This pamphlet deals with the procedures involved and the rights of Chicago public school students in cases of school suspension. Issues covered include: (1) reasons for which students may be suspended; (2) what a school must do in order to suspend a student; (3) what a student should do if he has been suspended; and (4) students' rights regarding…

This report describes problems directly related to the present method of dealing with suspension and expulsion in the Chicago public schools and recommends specific strategies for dealing with these problems. Problems discussed include: (1) the need for a definition of "gross misconduct"; (2) the need for the dissemination of information…

The statistics on vandalism compiled in this report were obtained from a survey of all 717 schools in suburban Cook County and give a broad overview of the extent, frequency, and financial costs incurred as a result of vandalism in the schools. The survey includes information on methods of protection and surveillance such as security personnel,…

This pamphlet answers questions parents might have on various topics connected with the education of their children. The parent's right to visit schools and talk to teachers is discussed. The responsibilities of school councils, including Local School Councils and District Education Councils, are outlined. The procedure for appointing school…

The research reported is a descriptive normative survey utilizing the data available from the required quarterly reporting of the high school districts in Cook County. In suburban Cook County there are 27 secondary school districts and two unit districts, including Chicago. The 28 suburban secondary school districts are comprised of 68 high school…