Bills address school discipline as a way to narrow achievement gap

A grassroots school reform movement is under way in California, organized around the core principles of school discipline policies.  Groups led by the Alliance of Boys and Men of Color convened in Sacramento to discuss the legislation and other issues that affect the education of minorities.  This youth-produced video spotlights student perceptions of the "willful defiance" category justifying suspension.  They perceive it as a code word to mean "anything that the teacher wants" and observed that its use is "discriminatory against black and brown students."  Students involved support a move towards the restorative justice model, aimed at helping students experiencing problems at home or academically.  Look at the video on New America Media.[vimeo=http://vimeo.com/73257549]