Does ‘the School-to-prison Pipeline’ Start With Suspensions? This Bill Aims to Find Out

AUSTIN -- The Texas House on Wednesday passed a bill that would require school districts to report demographic data to the state on all out-of-school suspensions. House Bill 65, introduced by Dallas Democrat Eric Johnson, would require school districts to report the race, sex and dates of birth of suspended students, as well as information on why the students were suspended and the length of the suspensions. The information can help researchers identify and address the underlying causes of school suspensions, which research has shown disproportionately affect African-American boys and children with disabilities. "Researchers who want to study school discipline need more and better data," Johnson said. "We know that student behavior is a complex topic that requires thoughtful, well-researched solutions. This legislation should help us arrive at the best solutions for all students."Johnson, who is also running for mayor, said he has worked for years to "dismantle the school-to-prison pipeline and to build a school-to-workforce pipeline.""This bill is an important part of that effort," he said. "Ultimately, we are trying to keep all kids on the path to a successful career."  Continue reading...

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