California is first in nation to limit 'willful defiance' suspensions

California has adopted a law that limits the way schools can cite called “willful defiance” for suspending and expelling students; the category has been used broadly to include behavior like interrupting class or speaking over the teacher. The new law prohibits limits discipline on this basis to students above fourth grade. "I’ve personally seen what happens to students after not being in school for five days.. Most fell behind, but one of them stopped coming to school altogether. If California already has too many young people dropping out of school, then suspending someone shouldn’t be so easy."  Tylyn Hardamon's commentary appeared in the San Francisco Chronicle, and on Youth Radio.