URGENT UPDATE: New York lawmakers are pushing to pass the transformative ‘Solutions Not Suspensions’ Act, aiming to address the disproportionate suspension rates affecting students, particularly those of color and students with disabilities. Advocates, including Sen. April Baskin and Assemblywoman Michaelle Solange, are rallying for immediate change in public schools across the state.
The bill seeks to limit school suspensions to a maximum of 180 days and mandates instructional support for suspended students. “Our outdated school discipline policy is not working,” Assemblywoman Solange stated. “It’s creating almost like a school-to-prison pipeline.” This critical legislation is designed to tackle underlying issues such as mental health and food insecurity that often contribute to student misbehavior.
Statistics reveal the urgency of this issue: in the Buffalo Public Schools system, 82% of suspensions involve Black students, who represent only 60% of the student body. “A student who gets suspended once is most likely to get suspended again,” Baskin emphasized, underscoring the need for solutions that prevent further educational loss.
Support is building, with 76 sponsors backing the bill, equating to significant momentum in both the Assembly and Senate. Advocates believe that implementing this bill will not only reduce suspension rates but also promote a healthier school environment. “We want to make sure we’re tackling the root cause of the behavior,” Solange explained, highlighting the need for proactive interventions like peer counseling and parental engagement instead of exclusionary discipline.
The bill is currently in committee, facing challenges primarily related to funding for necessary resources such as counselors and training facilities. However, supporters argue that the investment is crucial to prevent long-term educational and mental health consequences for students. “Our students are having learning loss and they’re also perpetuating any mental health issues that they are facing,” Solange added.
As the clock ticks, the urgency for action grows. Advocates are calling for immediate attention to this pressing issue, with hopes that the bill will soon advance through the legislative process. “It’s something that I think we can get done,” Solange concluded, as supporters prepare for the next steps in this critical initiative.
Stay tuned for further updates on the progress of the ‘Solutions Not Suspensions’ Act and its potential impact on the future of education in New York.
