Why are we suspending children? Removal of suspension record of young kids by TDSB

BY PAUL JUNOR

On Thursday, November 12th, 2020 Toronto District School Board (TDSB) announced that it was removing the suspensions records of K-3 kids.

The board made the announcement after its board meeting. The Trustees directed staff to, “Identify systemic work that can be done to addressing
self-interrupting bias and discrimination which may place certain groups of students at a disadvantage.”

This decision has largely been prompted by the announcement from the Ontario government at the beginning of September that discretionary suspensions of students in Kindergarten to Grade three have been banned. The Minister of Education stated, “It is clear that there is systemic discrimination built within the education system, whether it be: streaming of racialized students, suspensions, overwhelmingly targeting black and Indigenous kids, or the lack of merit-based diversity within our education workforce.”

The TDSB wants further steps such as:
· Creating a retention schedule for the expiration of suspensions/
expulsions in Ontario Student Record (OSR)
· Generating a reminder email to principals and to the TDSB Register for
Student Discipline

There was a hearing regarding removal of suspensions from OSR pending positive behaviour, as well as a data entry column on outcome of recommendation, thereby encouraging follow through, transparency and data collection of appeal hearing recommendation outcomes.

The advocacy group, Parents of Black Children welcome the move. In a statement it states the announcement, “This is the first step in remedying past harms for students, particularly black students who are disproportionately impacted by school disciplinary measures. All school boards need to follow the example of the TDSB. In addition, the provincial government should launch an inquiry into suspensions and expulsions with respect to protocols and practices.” It notes that, “Report after report has indicated that black children are suspended at higher rates and receive harsher discipline than other students.”

Alexander Brown, Chair of the TDSB observes, “Ensuring a positive school experience in the early years is critical for future success. By expunging discretionary suspensions for the records of these young children, we are removing a barrier that could jeopardy that success.” TDSB was quick to point out that serious offences that have been committed by young kids that led to mandatory suspensions for all grade levels will still be maintained.

Data released from the TDSB’s Caring and Safe Schools Annual Report revealed that 312 students were suspended during the 2018-2019 school year from K-3. Within the last two years, the number of suspensions and expulsions has dropped significantly by 24% and 53% respectively.

Indigenous students in the TDSB had the highest probability of being suspended. Black students were next, who represented 12% of students, yet made up 31%of suspensions. The TDSB hopes that the Caring and Safe School Annual Report will track the systemic work that is initiated by this change.