Over 150 attendees took part in an event the SUN collaboration hosted on April 12th to raise awareness around disproportionate discipline rates for students of color and to identify effective strategies for addressing this issue within schools.
Participants heard from national expert Professor Thalia Gonzalez about exciting results from across the country where restorative justice and other focused efforts are making a difference in this critical area. Following a national overview, local practitioners, parents and youth shared their stories and effective practices.
Presenters included Resolutions Northwest, Portland Parent Union, Multnomah Youth Commission and Tammy Jackson with Portland Public Schools.
A number of SUN Community Schools (SUN CS) are involved in restorative justice efforts, with noticeable changes in discipline data. One example is Rigler Elementary SUN CS, where concerted efforts by staff, parents and partners over the last several years have eliminated the racial disparity in suspension and expulsion.
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