Sacramento City Unified Unveils Historic Action Plan to Improve Student supports, Student Disciplinary Practices and Minimize Racial Disparities

Press releaseSeptember 5, 2024

Sacramento, CA - The Sacramento City Unified School District (SCUSD) today unveiled a comprehensive action plan for overhauling practices that in the past have resulted in disproportionately high suspension rates for students with disabilities, particularly Black and African-American students with disabilities.

This historic action plan is the result of years of negotiation and collaboration with the Black Parallel School Board (BPSB), a coalition of parents who are committed to supporting the educational growth and achievement of Black students within Sac City Unified.

"The action plan demonstrates Sac City Unified's unwavering commitment to equity and improving outcomes for our most vulnerable students," said Lisa Allen, SCUSD Superintendent. "We are grateful for the partnership with Black Parallel School Board and eager to see the positive impact of these changes across our District."

With the guidance and oversight of independent monitor, Dr. Greg Peters, SCUSD will take on numerous actions, some of which are highlighted below:

• Revise SCUSD Board policies and administrative regulations.
• Review, revise and monitor disciplinary practices across all school settings.
• Create a comprehensive intervention and behavior manual that offers supportive alternatives to exclusionary discipline.
• Build capacity to implement changes through professional learning.
• Reduce the number of students with disabilities placed in segregated settings.
• Review and revise IEP practices to support students with disabilities being educated in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE).

"The journey has been long, but now we have a clear action plan aimed at improving the District's programs. The real work starts now to enforce the action plan and safeguard equal educational opportunities, said the Black Parallel School Board. "This plan gives parents and advocates hope that the District is committed to meaningful changes that will enhance education for Black students, students with disabilities, and benefit all SCUSD students."

"There has been a revitalized focus on improving student outcomes that drives the district's efforts in the last year with how we acknowledge systemic racism and practices that have adversely affected Black students," said Lavinia Phillips, SCUSD Board of Education president. "SCUSD is confident the work put into and the continued partnerships in support of this action plan will improve outcomes and codify the erasure of practices that have hurt Black students in our district who have been identified as one of our most vulnerable populations."

The SCUSD/BPSB action plan includes a total of 22 directives, in addition to the oversight and support of independent monitor who will ensure accountability over the next five years and beyond.

"In nearly every conversation I have had since being named Independent Monitor, there has been overwhelming agreement and support for the outcomes outlined in this settlement. These conversations have included students, families, teachers, administrators, district staff and Board members. Recognizing the historic data showing persistent inequities, those I have spoken to have communicated an explicit commitment to serving SCUSD's students more equitably and prioritizing support for students with disabilities, Black students and Black students with disabilities." said Dr. Greg Peters, independent monitor of the action plan.

"In this first year of preparing for the action plan, it should be no surprise and it should be highlighted that a stated commitment, while certainly an essential step, neither makes the work in front of us easy nor assured. Ahead of us is extremely hard work that will be marked by struggles and growth for everybody, but if successful, SCUSD will be able to transform itself and the outcomes and lives of students, especially those students consistently facing systemic barriers," added Dr. Peters.

SCUSD is fully committed fully committed to implementing the changes called out in the action plan, which as noted in the contents, will require strategy, planning, collaboration, and expertise amongst all departments, labor partners, BPSB, and the community at large. The District is confident that incorporating these enhanced inclusive practices for Black and African-American students will have overarching benefits for the entire Sacramento City Unified community. For more information about the plan visit our SCUSD/BPSB Action Plan website.

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