Kansas' largest school district must overhaul student discipline after DOJ probe
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Kansas' biggest school district is required to overhaul its discipline system under a settlement with the Department of Justice (DOJ) following an investigation into disability and race discrimination.
The big picture: Wichita Pubic Schools agreed to eliminate seclusion, restrict restraint and reduce law enforcement's involvement in student discipline. The settlement is a part of a larger DOJ effort to combat improper isolation of students.
By the numbers: The investigation, under Title IV of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, examined the district's 87 schools and special programs from 2020 to 2023.
- Students with disabilities accounted for more than 98% of about 3,000 restraints and seclusions during the period the DOJ probe focused on.
- At least 44 students were restrained 20 or more times, per the investigation.
- One student was restrained or secluded at least 144 times — with 99 of those instances lasting over 15 hours in total.
Threat level: In schools for students with behavioral disabilities, the investigation revealed "inferior facilities devoid of furniture, educational equipment and the kinds of decor commonly found in schools, and staff who could not meet the needs of students," the DOJ said.
What they're saying: "Safe learning communities — for students and staff — will always be of the utmost importance," Kelly Bielefeld, Wichita Public Schools' superintendent, said in a statement.
- "I believe strongly that they will also help us to provide the innovative and impactful educational experience that every student deserves. Together, we will continue to do and be better for our students."
State of play: The Justice Department has reached settlement agreements with seven other school districts since 2017 related to restraint and seclusion treatment of students with disabilities.
- In 2023, Spokane Public Schools in Washington and the Anchorage School District in Alaska agreed to limit use of restraint and prohibit the use of seclusion.
Zoom in: Black students in Wichita schools were disciplined more frequently and more severely than white students who engaged in similar conduct.
- Black girls, especially, received harsh punishment. They were referred for insubordination at more than 4.5 times the rate as white girls.
- Schools unnecessarily referred Black students to law enforcement for routine or minor misbehavior, investigators said.
What's next: Wichita schools are required to create a behavior intervention protocol to ensure the nondiscriminatory administration of discipline.
- Law enforcement should only become involved in appropriate school circumstances to avoid criminalizing routine discipline.
Go deeper: Strict school zones are reinforcing inequality, new study finds
