Discipline Policy Reform: A Review of Oakland Unified School District Following an Office of Civil Rights Investigation

• In Event: Moscone Center West Roundtable Session 12
  In Roundtable Session: Discipline and the School-to-Prison Pipeline

Abstract

Research demonstrates harmful effects of disparate discipline practices on outcomes for students of color. The Office of Civil Rights, under the Obama administration, significantly increased investigations under the mandate of Title VI. We examine OCR’s investigation of OUSD to establish the district’s response following findings of disproportionality for African American students. This study is timely given the location of the 2020 AERA, and the conference theme’s intent to highlight California’s efforts in facing challenges of its educational system and imagining new possibilities. OUSD data indicates discipline disparities remain, yet OUSD has undertaken significant reform initiatives. Our findings indicate that challenges to disciplinary reform efforts include data quality, training, and OUSD’s continuing commitment to reform following the conclusion of OCR oversight.

Authors

• Catherine Robert, The University of Texas - Arlington

• Nathern S. Okilwa, The University of Texas - San Antonio