State lawmakers and juvenile justice experts said Thursday that Georgia needs to change its student disciplinary practices.
A state Senate committee held the first of several planned hearings on the matter at the state Capitol Thursday afternoon. The lawmakers and other officials have been concerned about racial disparities in student suspensions and expulsions, as well as the number of students being charged with crimes for incidents in schools. An Atlanta Journal-Constitution investigation earlier this year found per capita, black students were expelled at a rate more than double that of white students and nearly four times as many were suspended.
Experts highlighted problems such as the disciplinary process for some students taking as long as 175 days. Georgia Legal Services officials complained of a 96 percent conviction rate at student disciplinary hearings.
The speakers said schools must create a climate that makes students feel safe in the classroom while striking a balance that identifies disruptive students and avoids what may be harsh penalties against students. Georgia associate superintendent Garry McGiboney asked the committee to support state programs aimed at reducing disciplinary incidents, such as Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports.
“We can’t keep doing the same thing,” McGiboney said. “You can’t get to Florida by staying on (Interstate) 285.”
Committee members did not discuss any specific measures to address the problems. The committee, chaired by Sen. Emanuel Jones, D-Decatur, must come up with recommendations by Dec. 1.
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