Oakland Unified Reduces Suspensions With Restorative Justice Framework

The Oakland Unified School District is working to combat racial disparities in how it disciplines students. This year, it has made some progress in reducing suspensions of African-American students, using a restorative justice framework. Additionally, it also developed a plan that looks at school culture and climate, working with teachers and staff to provide trainings around culture and “unconscious bias.”

Ron Richardson, principal of Oakland’s Claremont Middle Schools says, “Building relationships with our students, our parents, our teachers and community, that is our number one strategy.”

Suspensions are down 20% 19 of the district’s schools, but there is still more work to be done!

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