Low income students of color face a real crisis in educational opportunities. Here in Los Angeles, upwards of 50% of students are pushed out before completing their schooling-commonly known as "dropping out." This staggering figure is directly linked to overcrowded, under-resources schools, but also to increasingly draconian, racially discriminatory "zero tolerance" discipline policies and an increased policing and criminalization of young people on school campuses. This week the national Dignity in Schools Campaign is launching its National Resolution to End School Pushout. This resolution puts forward a comprehensive platform identifying a pattern of failed policies that contribute to pushout and proposing alternative approach. Eric Mann talks with two Dignity in Schools Coalition organizers -- Michael Murray from Youth Justice Coalition and Ruth Cusick, staff attorney with Mental Health Advocacy Services.
Links:
[1] http://www.thestrategycenter.org/sites/www.thestrategycenter.org/files/Podcasts/2009/2009-12-01