Baltimore District Tackles High Suspension Rates

Driven by an increasing belief that zero-tolerance disciplinary policies are ineffective, more educators are embracing strategies that do not exclude misbehaving students from school for offenses such as insubordination, disrespect, cutting class, tardiness, and bringing cellphones to campus. Read the full Education Week article (free subscription required).

Background

In June 2006, OSI-Baltimore, along with partnering foundations, individual donors, and the United Way, announced that it would award $1.5 million to fund programs that will work to reduce suspensions and expulsions in Baltimore City Public Schools. Programs include those that reduce suspension and expulsion and improve school climate as well as those that link youth removed from school for disciplinary or criminal charges to transitional education services, and reconnect them to school.

OSI-Baltimore's goal is to fund programs that will make a lasting difference and create opportunities for the most vulnerable families in the city. School suspension and expulsion often result in students being pushed out of school and being discouraged from returning. By funding these programs, OSI intends to help Baltimore City school principals and teachers adopt alternative disciplinary practices to help students stay in stay in school.