Portland Parent Union rallies for end to expulsions and suspensions
Members of the Portland Parent Union advocacy group rallied against exclusionary disciplinary practices Tuesday night.
The demonstration was part of the National Week of Action Against School Pushout, aDignity In Schools Campaign calling for positive interventions instead of expulsions or suspensions and an end to racial disparities in discipline, according to the campaign's website. The movement is also advocating for student and parent involvement in disciplinary decisions and more funding for counselors.
About two dozen supporters clad in red shirts gathered Tuesday afternoon at the Portland Public Schools district office before attending the board meeting. Sheila Warren, founder and director of the union, passed around a megaphone for students and parents to speak and led chants for the group.
Warren said the union supports other options for student discipline, such as restorative justice practices, which focus on relationships and dialogue instead of punitive measures.
Portland Public Schools Superintendent Carole Smith has made reducing exclusionary discipline one of her main priorities. Restorative justice is one method the district is implementing.
According to a recent district presentation, the percentage of students excluded from school dropped from 7 percent in 2008-2009 to 2.4 percent last year, though Portland Parent Union rallies for end to expulsions and suspensions | OregonLive.com: