Greetings DSC Members and Allies!

Happy 2016! This year we hit the ground running with DSC members testifying at two regional public meetings hosted by the Department of Education on Title I of the Every Student Succeeds Act. We are also excited to share our 2015 Week of Action highlights video, as well as recent member updates, as a testament to the amazing leadership of parents, students, educators and advocates across the country. If you have local campaign updates, events, or resources you would like to share through our e-newsletter email nancy@dignityinschools.org.

NATIONAL UPDATES

This month, DSC members from 7 states testified at two public meetings in Washington, DC and Los Angeles organized by the Department of Education (ED) on Title I of the new Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). Members urged ED to help states implement the law’s school climate and discipline reform provisions through the issuance of regulations, guidance, and technical assistance to states. ESSA includes the option of using school climate and safety as an indicator of school quality or student success.

Members who testified include Gina Womack of Families and Friends of Louisiana’s Incarcerated Children, Juan Peña of Youth Justice Coalition, Marika Pfefferkorn of the Minnesota Education Equity Partnership, Ruth Cusick of Public Counsel, Zakiya Sankara-Jabar of Racial Justice NOW!, Joyce Parker of Citizens for a Better Greenville, Harold Jordan of the ACLU of Pennsylvania and Marlyn Tillman of Gwinnett SToPP. You can read more about the testimonies in Washington, DC here and Los Angeles here, and watch recordings of the meetings on ED’s website.

From October 3-11, 2015, DSC members and allies participated in our 6th Annual Week of Action Against School Pushout. Across the country, DSC members and allies held over 70 actions and events in 40 cities hosted by more than 100 organizations. We collectively delivered the message that we must Invest in Public Education, Not Prison Cultivation!

Watch and share our highlights video featuring photos and video clips from events around the country. This is a great tool to recruit others to join your events in 2016!

On January 15, DSC member Coleman Advocates for Children and Youth and allies participated in the second annual 96 hours of action to reclaim the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. This was part of multiple days of action that took place throughout California, and across the country, to shine light on the history and intersectionality between state sanctioned violence, gentrification, criminalization, and other forms of economic violence against both black and brown communities. The action commemorated the rich history of the Fillmore District, known as the "Harlem of the West," a historically Japanese and Black neighborhood, which was displaced in the first phase of redevelopment and gentrification in San Francisco. Mario Woods, who was killed by San Francisco Bayview Police late last year, was also honored at the action and community members raised awareness about the outmigration of black families, who now represent less than 3% of the population of San Francisco.

On January 18, DSC members Advocates for Equity in Schools-Henrico Coalition and I Vote for Me held an advocacy day in Richmond, VA to inform legislators about the school-to-prison pipeline. The advocacy day was organized to commemorate the civil rights movement led in part by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and teach youth leaders from the Girl Scouts Troop 921 how to advocate for themselves. Youth and parents informed legislators about the impact of school pushout on children of color and children with disabilities and hand delivered pledges and buttons calling for a moratorium on out-of-school suspensions to more than 20 Virginia legislators. Members also informed legislators about SB 458, sponsored by Senator Donald McEachin, that calls for schools to use suspensions only as a last resort after all feasible alternatives to suspension have been considered.

In early January, youth leaders from DSC member organization Missouri GSA Network participated in a three day winter strategy retreat with the Missouri Youth Leadership Council, a group of leaders from GSA groups across the state. Youth leaders held discussions about race, class and the political landscape of schools in Missouri and developed their collective logic model for pushing back against school pushout. Throughout the weekend, youth leaders were trained on various national, local and regional movements and how they are part of a much larger social justice movement. In March, the group will be traveling to the state capital for an advocacy day.

STAFF UPDATES

IN THE NEWS

In Bronx survey, struggling students explain what’s missing from school discipline debates
Patrick Wall, Chalkbeat NY, January 19, 2016

How one student asked the state to tackle a looming education question
Joy Resmovits, LA Times, January 14, 2016

100,000 NYC School Children Face Airport-Style Security Screening Every Day
Cecilia Reyes, Pro Publica, Jenny Ye, WNYC, January 12, 2016

ESSA Offers Opportunity to Combat School Pushout
Janel George, Education Week, January 8, 2016

Report says Virginia should require school police training and alter laws to reduce arrests
Susan Ferriss, Center for Public Integrity, January 6, 2016