You may not even know it yet, but there is a new way of disciplining kids in public schools in California now.
It’s because of a law signed by Governor Newsom that does not allow schools to suspend students for what is called “willful defiance”. It permanently bans suspensions for kids in 4th and 5th grades and bans it in grades 6th, 7th and 8th for at least five years.
According to a report in the San Diego Union Tribune, willful defiance by a student includes such things as using a cell phone when you’re not supposed to, chewing gum, napping or mouthing off.A kid can be disciplined but will not be suspended.
The ban on suspensions signed by the governor after some educators and public interest groups said it was needed because of research that showed that black, Native American and Latino students were getting suspended the most and that being suspended didn’t change behavior, students missed classes and got farther behind and were more likely to drop out of high school.
So now schools will be using more supportive practices when a kid displays willful defiance.More school-based support, more teacher training and counselors.But that kind of support can vary from school to school.
Everyone now will be watching to see what happens and how effective the new policy of banning suspensions for willful defiance will be.If it doesn’t work, the ban could end up being banned.
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