Center for Research on Expanding Educational Opportunity

Description

The Race Education and Community Healing (REACH) Network focuses on the research that out-of-school suspensions disproportionately affect students of color, students with special education designations, and LGBTQ+ youth. Frequent suspensions can result in lost instructional time and adverse long-term academic outcomes. To address these concerns, the UC Berkeley School of Education and the UCLA Center for the Transformation of Schools are leading the REACH Network.

The initiative’s overall goal is to reduce racial disparities and exclusionary discipline mindsets and practices to improve school climate conditions for all students, especially historically marginalized youth. To meet our ambitious goals, we are working to identify ways to promote healthy relationships in schools and prevent out-of-school suspensions from happening altogether, and providing tools and training on alternatives to suspensions based on new evidence-based models.

REACH grants will allow for school sites and districts to test out innovative models that promote positive relationships, healthy learning conditions, and center on evidence-based alternatives to punitive practices and policies in schools. These grants will help inform promising models that align to Senator Nancy Skinner’s successful SB 274, now a state law, designed to keep students in school by eliminating suspensions for “willful defiance” or low-level behavior issues in TK through grade 12.

Eligibility requirements: Pre-K through 12th grade public school sites, including public charter schools, are eligible to apply to join the network.

Higher education partners, community-based organizations, and nonprofits are encouraged to apply, but must apply jointly with a school site, district, or county office of education to be considered eligible.

Upcoming Event

Join Us in Sacramento on January 27 for the California Race, Education, and Community Healing (REACH) Network Convening! Click Here to RSVP

You are invited to learn about and be a part of shaping the future of equitable and restorative discipline practices across the state. 

Highlights will include: 

• Insights from Local Education Agencies (LEAs): Learn from their successes and challenges in implementing restorative practices.

• REACH Network Findings: Hear about some of the key findings from the REACH Network Baseline Report and recommendations for advancing restorative practices.

• Interactive Discussions: Engage with other state education leaders and legislators driving equitable discipline reform.

• Actionable Pathways: Explore partnerships and strategies for sustainable change.

Special Guests & Speakers:Guest of Honor:

• Nancy Skinner – Former State Senator, California Senate District 9

Guest Speakers:

• Dr. Daryl Camp – Superintendent, San Lorenzo USD & Governance Consultant, California School Boards Association

• Dr. Cheryl Hildreth – Superintendent, Washington USD

• Dr. Hattie Mitchell – Founder and Director, Crete Academy, Los Angeles USD

• Mike Walsh – Director-at-Large, County for the California School Boards Association

• Rosario Arcona – SEL & Restorative Practices Coordinator, Washington USD (REACH Grantee)

• Charon Green – Social Justice Manager, Para Los Niños (REACH Grantee)

Event Hosts:

• Dr. Joseph Bishop – Executive Director, UCLA CTS

• Dr. Travis Bristol – Faculty Director, UC Berkeley CREEO

• Dr. Michael Corral – REACH Network Project Director, UCLA CTS

• Dr. Tyrone Howard – Faculty Co-Director, UCLA CTS

• Dr. Jacquelyn Ollison – Director, UC Berkeley CREEO

• Dr. Iishwara Ryaru – Assistant Superintendent, Marin County Office of Education

Learn more about this project here: 2. [Mailchimp Email Delivered 1.9] Join the REACH Network Convening on 1_27_ Shape the Future of Restorative Practices with these Ed Leaders.pdf