HR0873 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0873 LRB100 20985 MST 36631 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The introduction of exclusionary discipline should be used only as a method of last resort; and

WHEREAS, Exclusionary discipline is any type of school disciplinary action that removes or excludes a student from the their traditional educational setting; and

WHEREAS, Non-violent offenses carried out by students in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade often result in suspension or expulsion from traditional school settings; and

WHEREAS, The offenses that lead to such discipline often stem from a child's emotional, social, or family-related issues; and

WHEREAS, Exclusionary discipline often leads to negative student outcomes, such as low academic performance, higher rates of drop-outs, failures to graduate on time, and even continued disciplinary problems; and

WHEREAS, Statistics show African American and Latino youth in Illinois are more often suspended or expelled when a progression of disciplinary steps do not have a positive effect on the issue; and

WHEREAS, From the new study "Girlhood Interrupted: The Erasure of Black Girls' childhood" released by Georgetown Law's Center on Poverty and Inequality, authors reported that adults view black girls as " ... less innocent and more adult-like than their white peers, especially in the age range of 5- 14"; and

WHEREAS, The study also states, "This new evidence of what we call the 'adultification' of black girls may help explain why black girls in America are disciplined much more often and more severely than white girls - across our schools and in our juvenile justice system"; and

WHEREAS, The report continues by saying, "Black girls are five times more likely to be suspended as white girls, and twice as likely to be suspended as white boys"; and

WHEREAS, Lawmakers, educators, counselors, youth councils, lawyers, and judges in the State of Illinois have insight into the problems facing youth today; and

WHEREAS, A review of current practices as well as proposed ideas and policies are in order to change exclusionary practices to a restorative justice model for child discipline; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we recognize the practice of exclusionary discipline among pre-kindergarten to 12th grade students occurs at a rate above and beyond that which is necessary; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we urge the U.S. Departments of Education, juvenile court officials, and other legal legislative and court staff to review current laws and policies related to exclusionary discipline practices in public schools for students in prekindergarten through kindergarten who have committed non-violent offenses; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we urge the review to 1) examine the number of exclusionary discipline actions issues by a local education agency (school district) and the length of each respective action, 2) detail the type of offenses committed by the student(s) that led to the disciplinary action, 3) review the impact the discipline had on the student(s), 4) examine restorative recommendations that may be used as opposed to exclusionary practices, 5) identify resources to support teachers, parents and school personnel as they work to address the child's social, emotional and behavioral health, and 6) encourage schools to adopt restorative justice and disciplinary practices; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be delivered to the President of the United States, the Vice President of the United States, all members of the U.S. Congress, and other federal and Illinois state government officials as appropriate.