2020-06-04-LHRC-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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3. Presentation of Discipline Data by Dr. Julie Hackett, Superintendent • Presentation (https:Hdocs.google.com/document/d/luuN7Zux6uRnncc- ta6PaWfgg2MLaeovaNOKI-xCtdBk/edit?ts=5ed80c8a) • Dr. Hackett discussed results of discipline data results (2018-2019) as well other civil rights issues and answered questions from LHRC members and community members. Topics included changes from previous years data, effects of Covid-19 school shut down and differences in how bullying is addressed whether it meets the legal definition of "Bullying" as defined by the State of Massachusetts. Data is available to the public. • Dr. Hackett discussed results of discipline data results and answered questions from LHRC members and community members. Topics included changes from previous years data, effects of Covid-19 school shut down and differences in how bullying is addressed whether it meets the legal definition of"Bullying" as defined by the State of Massachusetts. Data is available to the public. Dr. Hackett also committed to returning to the LHRC to address the data in the fall. Highlights of the presentation include: • LPS has the resources, expertise and desire to make a difference. • Working on how to get relevant data to the LHRC in a standardized way. • LPS has low incidence of suspension so any inaccuracies have a large impact. • School closure due to Covid-19 may make the data look better than it really is. • LPS provides training/outreach on bullying and the reporting process, schools are legally expected to have plans around bullying. • Reporting procedures are being evaluated including, anonymous form, building civil rights officers and Director of Equity and Student Supports. • Black and Special Education students are still receiving disproportionate discipline (4x) • Consultants were brought into the middle schools, training on implicit bias and procedures to dissuade use of suspension lowered rates for those grade levels. • High school has the highest incidence of suspension, mostly related to drug use/possession and open campus violations. • LPS is also evaluating demographics on children being sent out of classroom or to administrators. • Appreciation expressed by LHRC members for the report itself with the links to many other documents, LPS increased efforts, data scrutiny and particularly the efforts at the middle school. • Concerns expressed by Committee included increase in discipline disparity at the high school level; lack of regular transparency/data sharing with LHRC; documentation of bullying; • Dr. Hackett stated that she wanted to move the update to the fall to present the numbers from the previous school year after reporting to DESE. The LHRC expressed appreciation for the same. 1625 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE•LEXINGTON,MASSACHUSETTS 02420