The Rennie Center for Education Research & Policy

Examining School Discipline Policies in Massachusetts

Wednesday, May 26, 2010
8:30 – 10:30 AM

Presented by:
Rennie Center for Education Research and Policy
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
Boston Private Industry Council

Please join us for a presentation and panel discussion of the effects of school discipline policies in Massachusetts.

Session Overview
While Massachusetts' 2009 dropout rate is the lowest in a decade, there remain an alarming number of students who drop out of the Commonwealth's schools each year. Recent testimony from public hearings hosted by the Massachusetts Graduation and Dropout Prevention and Recovery Commission suggest that disciplinary action for non-violent offenses such as tardiness and truancy can exacerbate the dropout problem as these policies can result in students missing school days through suspensions and often cause students to fall far behind and lose credits. Some parents, educators, policymakers, and coalitions submit that fully understanding the role of discipline is an essential component in any strategy for overcoming the dropout crisis.

At this event, the Rennie Center will release a new policy brief analyzing statewide data on school suspensions and expulsions as well as relevant federal and state laws. The brief examines the impact of school discipline practices and concludes with considerations for policymakers, school and district leaders. The event will begin with a presentation by Massachusetts Commissioner of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Mitchell Chester, followed by a presentation by the Rennie Center’s Research Director, Dr. Lisa Famularo, and concludes with a panel discussion with multiple perspectives on the complex issue of improving school discipline policies in Massachusetts.

Opening Remarks
Mitchell Chester, Commissioner, Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

Research Presentation
Lisa Famularo, Research Director, Rennie Center for Education Research & Policy

State and District Panel Discussion
Glenn Koocher, Executive Director, Massachusetts Association of School Committees
William Rodriguez, Assistant Professor of Juvenile Justice, Wheelock College
Judith Thompson, Coordinator of Counseling, Psychology & Community Outreach, Worcester Public Schools
Representative Alice Wolf, Massachusetts State Legislature
Additional panelists to be confirmed.

School level Panel Discussion
Deshawn Dawson, Student, Community Academy, Boston
Paul Hays, Principal, City on a Hill Charter Public High School, Boston
Patricia May, Principal, North Central Charter Essential School, Fitchburg
Mary Jo Nawrocki, Superintendent-Director, Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School, Marlborough
Omari Walker, Principal, Resiliency Preparatory School, Fall River
Additional panelists to be confirmed.

Moderator
Mo Barbosa, Assistant Director for Training and Capacity Building, Health Resources in Action