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.

 

DSC Materials

Fact Sheets and Resources on Promoting Alternatives to Zero-Tolerance

The Alternatives to Zero-Tolerance Working Group develops fact sheets and other materials for use by local and national organizations in their advocay to promote evidence-based practices for building positive school climates and discipline policies.  These materials include:

 

National Resolution and Conference Materials

In December 2009, the DSC released a National Resolution for Ending School Pushout, signed by over 200 organizations and individuals from around the country.  The Resolution was drafted by participants at the first DSC National Conference in June 2009.  Read the Resolution and related materials:

 

Collaborative Reports

Police in LAUSD Schools: The Need for Accountability and Alternatives
A Collaborative Report of the Community Rights Campaign and Los Angeles Chapter of the DSC, January 2010

The Los Angeles Chapter of the Dignity in Schools Campaign in collaboration with the Community Rights Campaign released the a policy paper on Police in LAUSD Schools.  With 340 sworn officers and 147 School Safety Officers, the LASPD is the largest school police department in the country. Given that 91% of LAUSD students are students of color - it is inevitable that the brunt of any potential misconduct or abuse by LASPD officers is shouldered by students of color. As the LAUSD Board of Education prepares to select a new Chief of Police for LASPD, the report urges the LAUSD Board to create new mechanisms and policies that hold the LASPD accountable to the civil/human rights of all LAUSD students.

 

The Right to Education in the Juvenile and Criminal Justice Systems in the United States
A Collaborative Publication of the Dignity in Schools Campaign, December 2008

In December 2008, the DSC submitted a report to the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Right to Education, Mr. Vernor Muñoz. The report documents: the school to prison pipeline and the lack of adequate access to quality education programs in juvenile facilities and state and federal prisons. The report was submitted to the Special Rapporteur to inform a report to the United Nations Human Rights Council about prisoner education worldwide, released in June 2009. A Special Rapporteur is an independent expert appointed by the United Nations Human Rights Council. The Special Rapporteur on the Right to Education is called upon to examine, monitor, advise and publicly report back on the status of the human right to education in countries around the world.

 

Alternative Schools and Pushout: A Research and Advocacy Guide
A Collaborative Publication of the Dignity in Schools Campaign, Fall 2007

This guide was developed after the DSC held a tele-conference call in May 2007 on alternative schools and pushout. It includes summaries of research on alternative schools, an advocacy checklist of steps to take when a child is a referred to an alternative school, and legal strategies for challenging alternative schools that are not ensuring the right to quality education for students.

 

Website Database

Our website includes a database of resources on Pushout and Effective Alternatives, including research studies, news articles and advocacy reports to better understand how and why students are being pushed out of school and to effective models to prevent pushout.

We are continuously looking for more resources to include on the website. If you have suggestions for articles to include or information about local strategies being used in your community please contact Liz Sullivan.