School Code of Conduct Committee Update
A committee of GCPS staff and community members formed in January 2020 to perform a comprehensive review of the Student Conduct Behavior Code, and the operational practices associated with implementing the policy. However, the committee was given a deadline of April 1 to address the policies and practices related to school discipline. The committee is a cross section of the community and includes Gwinnett SToPP’s executive director as well as professionals in the juvenile justice field. However, there weren’t any student voices in the room, so we invited two students to fill the void. The reflections from one of the students follow.
Isaiah’s Reflections
The Gwinnett County Student Code of Conduct Review Committee was an enlightening experience where I learned about the program PBIS (Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports). This marked my first time receiving contextualization for the program, and it allayed some of my concerns. The program, within most schools in Gwinnett County, is a framework designed to decrease school discipline while teaching constructive behaviors. Gwinnett County schools have a high rate of out-of-school suspensions and in-school suspensions, within the African American, Hispanic, and students with disabilities communities; racial disparities in student discipline have remained ever-present. Therefore, from this meeting, I learned that Gwinnett County has made, although insubstantial, attempts that have not remedied the gaps in the student discipline.
The meeting focused on reviewing intervention programs and statistical data, and the statistics provided did show some improvement, but in structure, it created a question. Data lacks personalization; it cannot represent schools and students across the county in their entirety, and this is only edified in the structure of this meeting. The meeting centered around student disciplinary interventions, but the very target audience, Gwinnett County students, were nonexistent in the room. Me and my friend, Faith, sat as the only two students. From this, it grew evident that Gwinnett County is beginning to lay the foundation for change; however, they still lack in their approach, developing rules without feedback from the people which has created an environment that has resulted in the appearance of racial prejudice. Gwinnett schools must realize these truths and make actual strides to address them.
What you can do to help, even from home: We need your input. The more voices we have weighing in on proposed changes to the code of conduct, the more power we have in advocacy to make them happen. Please take a moment to read over the proposed changes and offer feedback at this link. Make your voice heard! Deadline for additions and feedback is April 20th.