Officials at Coachella Valley Unified School District are supporting efforts to bring restorative forms of discipline to more schools while ending a contract that placed sheriff’s deputies in schools.”
“Supporters of restorative justice say these traditional forms of school discipline push students into the school-to-prison pipeline. Research has shown that the more time students spend outside the classroom, the more contact they have with the criminal justice system…
“In the past two years, Coachella Valley Unified has spearheaded restorative justice, dedicating more than $300,000 to alternatives to traditional discipline. In an agreement with Building Healthy Communities, a local organization advocating for equity in health and education directed by (Silvia) Paz, the district piloted a restorative justice program at Bobby Duke Middle School, which worked with students to develop their communication and leadership skills.”
Read the full story at The Desert Sun.