Despite the passage of important legislation in 2016 which was intended to address the overzealous use of out-of-school suspensions in Rhode Island schools, the discipline data for many school districts continues to display alarming disparities for both students of color and students with disabilities, and shocking rates of suspension for the youngest students in grades K-5, as a recent ACLU of RI report showed. In addition, not a single school district has submitted a statutorily required report to the Rhode Island Department of Education addressing their efforts to mitigate such disparities. We supported a critical piece of legislation which would have largely eliminated the ability for a K-5 student to be given an out-of-school suspension and strengthen the current reporting requirements for school districts. This legislation died in committee.
School Discipline Reform (S 189)
Sponsors
Senator Ana Quezada
Related content
![](https://www.riaclu.org/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail_130x110/public/featured_letters_02.png?itok=gCihwwch)
TESTIMONY Re: Constitutional Convention Preparatory Commission
August 20, 2024![](https://www.riaclu.org/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail_130x110/public/field_image/2024_disability_rights.png?itok=QAXqOTmB)
Non-Consensual Patient Research (H 7301, S 2394)
June 12, 2024![](https://www.riaclu.org/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail_130x110/public/featured_letters_02.png?itok=gCihwwch)
LETTER Re: Warwick School District Student Publications Policy
June 10, 2024![](https://www.riaclu.org/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail_130x110/public/featured_letters_03.png?itok=hMgINyYh)
LETTER Re: Proposed DCYF Budget
May 24, 2024![](https://www.riaclu.org/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail_130x110/public/field_image/students_rights_1.png?itok=HZkpqExg)
School Social Worker Funding (H 7545)
April 30, 2024![](https://www.riaclu.org/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail_130x110/public/field_image/students_rights_1.png?itok=HZkpqExg)
Multilingual Students Bill of Rights (S 2842)
April 8, 2024![](https://www.riaclu.org/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail_130x110/public/field_image/racial_justice_2.png?itok=DOoe2L3x)
Indian Child Welfare Act (H 7697)
April 8, 2024![](https://www.riaclu.org/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail_130x110/public/field_image/racial_justice_1.png?itok=sh5D4in2)
Police PTSD Disability Benefits (H 7464, S 2059)
April 5, 2024![](https://www.riaclu.org/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail_130x110/public/field_image/criminal_justice_0.png?itok=yLF56yKR)