Zero+Tolerance

A Response to Expulsion Strategy meeting took place yesterday. Representatives of PCCY, Education Law Center, Defenders Association of Philadelphia, Philadelphia Reintegration Initiative, along withEducation Attorney, former High School Principal Alan Liebowitz, to discuss expulsion policy decisions, including the [|__superintendent’s zero tolerance letter__], School Safety Advisory Committee (SSAC) expulsion recommendation, School District staff’s Expulsion and/or Transfer for Disciplinary Violations Fact Sheet, legal standing on policy/policy interpretation, and how youth advocates, education advocates, educati on attorneys and other community members should respond. The considerations were: 1).Based on scientific [|__research__] refuting the effectiveness of Zero Tolerance, and concerns that principals will respond with blanket suspensions-with-intent-to- expel of numerous school students --thus interrupting the learning process instead of bringing more efficiency to it – that we continue to focus on opposing an expulsion/zero tolerance policy 2).Accept that expulsion policy implementation is already underway and therefore seek to minimize potential damage and implications on vulnerable and unintended populations. In addition, work to assure expulsion schools provide real education opportunities to expelled students, despite state’s minimal requirements for such students. Along the way, continue to communicate that expulsion – particularly permanent expulsion -- is option for extreme cases, only. The committee reached a consensus to: Primarily work towards the second consideration, although continue to voice displeasure of policy and underscore scientific research refuting its effectiveness in quelling school violence and establishing positive learning environments.

1). Follow up on email (included below) from SSAC’s non-School District members, and submitted to Chief Operations Officer Tomas Hanna earlier this week, voicing opposition to view of expulsion recommendation as having come from discussions in SSAC meetings, with addition of Rhonda McKitten and George Mosee of Defender Association of Philadelphia. 2). Circulate amongst ourselves a list of questions (formation currently underway) to District on gray areas of policy around which clarification is needed. Submit to District, along with a letter expressing concerns about policy. 3). Request that School District’s Safety Cabinet (Offices of Climate & Safety, Transition and Alternative Education, General Counsel Specialized Services) in some way interact with representatives from data collection, disability rights, DHS, community liaison who would oversee a community advisory committee for expulsion process. Again, below is a copy of the email to Hanna. We will circulate questions later today, and keep you posted on other developments. Sincerely,

Email to Tomas Hanna; October 20, 2008 Dear Mr. Tomas Hanna: Although representatives from our organizations served for many months on the School Safety Advisory Committee, we were surprised to learn of the request by the School District for new expulsion schools, and that this new request is in some way related to recommendations set forth by the Committee. The topic of expulsion as discussed in committee meetings was understood to refer to state and federal guidelines around weapons, and the need for greater clarity for case-by-case decision-making. We believe any endorsement of a new expulsion policy and heightened Zero Tolerance policy is a distortion of the endorsements of the committee. Since many members of the community were engaged in this committee, we believe it is important to clarify the record to assure the maintenance of trust between the School District and entities it often refers to as “partners” in the education of Philadelphia children. Sincerely, Deborah Gordon Klehr Education Law Center

Sheila Simmons Public Citizens for Children and Youth

Rev. LeRoi Simmons A Germantown Clergy Initiative

Alan Liebowitz Education attorney, former principal

Sheila Simmons Education Director Public Citizens for Children and Youth 215-563-5848, ext. 12 __sheilas@pccy.org__