Reject PunishingSchools
The Akron Beacon Journal has done some exemplary work covering educational reform efforts over the years I have lived in Akron.  Today, they provide a detailed and disturbing summary of a study just completed by the Children’sDefense Fund-Ohio and the Ohio Poverty Law Center.

There are several findings that should cause us to pause.  Most striking for me is the fact that we now know that in Ohio black students are more than five times more likely to be disciplined than white students.  While total disciplinary actions are declining in the state, the racial gap remains and Akron Public Schools are the worst in the state.

In Akron Public Schools, “about 80 percent of students, according to school officials, have no disciplinary infractions. But Akron remains 16th of 924 public school districts and charter schools in overall disciplinary action and leads the state’s largest urban centers in disciplining minority students, with about 97 disciplinary actions for every 100 black students.”

And while I generally like our Superintendent, David James, his response to these tragic numbers was to point out that when as student brings a weapon to school expulsion follows, and then conclude that this is a ‘color-blind issue.’

Others draw our attentions to a different set of variables.

‘In the 2010-11 school year, the most recent year for comparable data, black students made up less than half of Akron schools’ population but accounted for more than three-quarters of all disciplinary actions, including all of the district’s expulsions, according to ODE statistics.

The numbers cannot be defended, Sarah Biehl, an attorney at the Ohio Poverty Law Center, said.  “Anyone who tries to sugar-coat it is being dishonest,” she said.  Dan Rambler, Akron Public Schools director of student support services, agrees.  “I don’t know that there’s an explanation for [disproportionately disciplining minority students],” he said.

McWilliams and Rambler openly acknowledged the problem. They stress that fostering relationships with students could produce a school climate of respect and appreciation.

Still, officials lack a definite reason for disproportionately disciplining black students.  Biehl suggested the blame might rest on society and not necessarily with administrators or teachers.  “It’s a racist system. We create a social stereotype of what criminals look like: a young, black man,” she said.

Advocates and school administrators acknowledge that minority students often struggle with poverty, food insecurity and might receive minimal support from their parents and community.  According to U.S. Census data, blacks are twice as likely as whites to be living in poverty in Akron.

“I do think that poverty is a huge factor in outcomes,” said Jason Haas, president of the Akron Board of Education. “Unfortunately, we live in an area that has a high concentration of poverty.”’

This is not a new challenge.  But it seems clear to me that racism and poverty, and the intersections of racism and poverty, have to be a central part of this conversation.  As Rev. Walker noted, “When you have a black eye, it’s very visible.  You can try to hide it, but it’s there.”  As a white male I am not exactly sure how I can help.  I can see that being white sometimes allows one, ironically, to be more candid about racism, but I also do not want to suggest or even imply that current (or future) black leaders in Akron are not themselves fully capable of figuring this out.  Ideas? 

The Beacon had a second story on this same topic today, which added the following...

'"The kid who gets the suspension or expulsion is three times as likely ... to be involved in the juvenile justice system in the following year,” said Michael Thompson, director of the Council of State Governments Justice Center, a nonpartisan organization that develops and promotes data-driven solutions for problems that intersect the legal system and other areas, like education.'