Working Groups and Projects

The Dignity in Schools Campaign has several active Working Groups and projects which bring advocates, organizers, parents, youth and educators together to end pushout and promote positive alternatives to zero-tolerance discipline, including:

  • Alternatives to Zero-Tolerance Working Group  — The DSC develops national action strategies for promoting positive alternatives to zero-tolerance discipline, such as Positive Behavior Supports, restorative practices, conflict resolution and mediation programs.
  • Teleconference Series Working Group — The DSC organizes teleconference calls that bring advocates together from around the country to engage in discussion and debate around pushout and school discipline and to develop strategies for working together.
  • National Resolution for Ending School Pushout  - Over 200 organizations and individuals have signed on to the National Resolution, a call to action for our school systems to end the harsh disciplinary policies and law enforcemnet tactics that push too many young people out of school. The National Resolution calls for schools to create positive climates for learning and adopt alternative approaches to discipline that protect the human rights of all young people.
  • Research and Publications — The DSC compiles and produces resources for advocates, educators, community organizers and lawyers to share information about the pushout problem and build alliances for combating pushout across the country.  The DSC continues to develop our on-line research database, and produces collaborative reports, fact sheets and other materials related to pushout.
  • National Conference: A Collective Voice for Dignity in Schools — On June 5 and 6, 2009, advocates, organizers, youth, parents and educators from 20 states around the country came together in Chicago to discuss positive alternatives to school pushout and  to reframe the national dialogue on school climate and discipline within a human rights framework.   Conference materials and presentations are available on our website.  Participants at the conference drafted the National Resolution on Ending School Pushout, released in December 2009.

To get involved in any of these projects please contact us.