This legislative session we can invest in positive behavioral intervention programs and additional support staff and resources for communities dealing with high rates of violence. Making sure students feel safe, welcomed, and valued is essential for their safety, well-being, and academic success.

An investment in creating positive school climates that address disciplinary issues by integrating evidence-based restorative practices is an investment in the safety and well-being of our students. We can foster safer public-school environments for all by funding a two-year pilot program and by providing additional funding support to localities with high rates of community violence. Restorative practices are designed to prioritize students’ safety by creating environments where they feel welcome and supported, which leads to fewer disciplinary issues and more positive school climates.

Additionally, these evidence-based practices can reduce the use of exclusionary discipline methods such as suspensions, which reduce learning time, remove children from education, and are disproportionately used against students of color and students with disabilities. In addition, this pilot program can improve disciplinary policies and help reduce violence at public schools across the Commonwealth.

This is a companion bill to HB2196 so please answer both calls to action.