WASHINGTON, DC – Today, in response to the release of the Federal Commission on School Safety report and its recommendations, Denise Marshall, executive director, Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA) released the following statement:
“On the heels of so many actions that deny and oppress, we are simply appalled at yet another maneuver by this Administration that fails our children. The report and its recommendations do nothing to support students with disabilities when the data has shown for decades there is disparate treatment. Ignoring the facts and failing to take meaningful action amounts to deliberate discrimination.
While we are pleased to see an emphasis on mental health counseling, reducing bullying and building positive school climate, we fear that the over-emphasis on “control, order and arming teachers” and the recommendation to rescind the discipline guidance that outlines best practices and provides tools and resources will undermine and derail attempts at creating positive environments for marginalized and at-risk students. There is no evidence the federal discipline guidelines had a causal relationship to Parkland or any other school massacre. In fact, students were often pushed out, denied services, and were dismally failed by the system meant to provide them support.”
Marshall concluded, “The report misses the mark to harness the power of research-based tools and best practices to support the whole child to succeed. We once again urge Secretary DeVos not to rescind the discipline guidance and instead take action that keeps all students safe in positive schools prepared to address the root causes of the disparate treatment of students with disabilities and students of color so that they can remain in school and receive the services and supports they need to learn and succeed.”
Read COPAA’s full statement here: https://www.copaa.org/…/Safety-Commission-Report-Fails-Stud…
Read the Report here: https://www2.ed.gov/…/school-safe…/school-safety-report.pdf…
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