Adopt a Policy Agenda for Black Children

LeAja Consulting, LLC., an educational consultant, proposed the following Policy Agenda items for Black Students:

• Prohibit school-based police officers.

• Prohibit harmful and ineffective exclusionary discipline practices in schools, including suspensions and alternative school placements.

• End corporal punishment, if it is taking place, in schools.

• Prohibit the use of tasers, pepper spray, physical and mechanical restraints like handcuffs and other harmful use of force tactics in schools.

• Meet the recommended student-to-mental health professional ratios.

• Prohibit discrimination and punishments (like suspensions) for dress code, hairstyle, and other physical appearance rule violations.

• Require school districts to perform yearly data audits of their school police activities,

• Use district “safety and security” funds to hire diverse counselors and social workers.

• Increase recess and outdoor time requirements for all grade levels and prohibit schools from taking recess away from students.

• Provide culturally-sustaining curricula and instructional practices that reflect and celebrate diverse communities.