Governor Gavin Newsom has signed Sen. Nancy Skinner’s SB 274, which is designed to keep kids in school by prohibiting the suspension of TK through 12 students for low-level behavior issues known as “willful defiance.”
Historically, in California and around the nation, willful defiance suspensions have typically been levied for low-level disruptions, such as a student wearing a hat backward, falling asleep in class, or “talking back to a teacher,” and have been disproportionately directed at students of color, LGBTQ students, students who are homeless or in foster care, and those with disabilities.
“Since my start in the state Senate in 2016, I’ve worked to end willful defiance suspensions in our public schools. The reason is simple: Suspending students, no matter the age, doesn’t improve student behavior, and it greatly increases the likelihood that the student will fail or drop out,” said Sen. Skinner, D-Berkeley. “With Governor Newsom’s signing of SB 274, California is putting the needs of students first. No more kicking kids out of school for minor disruptions. Students belong in school where they can succeed.”
SB 274, Keep Kids in School, won overwhelming approval in the state Assembly and Senate, and it takes effect July 1, 2024. SB 274 builds on Sen. Skinner’s 2019 legislation, SB 419, which was signed into law by Gov. Newsom. It permanently banned willful defiance suspensions in grades TK-5 and prohibited them in grades 6-8 until 2025. Under SB 274, willful defiance suspensions are barred in grades 6 to 12, with a sunset of July 1, 2029, in all California public schools.
In addition, under SB 274, teachers would be able to remove a student from a specific class for unruly behavior, but the youth would not be suspended from school. Instead, it would be up to school administrators to determine appropriate and timely in-school interventions or support for the student.
Photo by Office of Senator Nancy Skinner
SB 274 is supported by a coalition of more than 60 organizations and sponsored by State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond; American Civil Liberties Union, California Action; Alliance for Boys and Men of Color (Co-Sponsor; Black Parallel School Board; Community Asset Development Re-defining Education (CADRE); Congregations Organized for Prophetic Engagement (COPE); Dolores Huerta Foundation; Disability Rights California; East Bay Community Law Center; Generation Up; Mid-City Community Advocacy Network; Public Counsel; Youth Alliance; and Youth Justice Education Clinic – Loyola Law School.
For more information on SB 274, please click here.
Sen. Nancy Skinner represents the 9th Senate District and is chair of the Senate Budget Committee and the California Legislative Women’s Caucus.
- Sept. 7 – Willful Defiance Suspension Bill Passes State Assembly
- Feb 1 – Sen. Skinner Announces Bill to Eliminate Willful Defiance Suspensions
4 comments
The purpose of suspending disruptive students is not only or even primarily to “improve the student’s behavior” as Ms. Skinner tells the story. It is to STOP the disruption from affecting other students. Don’t the majority of nondisruptive students have a right NOT to be bothered by the few who will not behave? This is just more of the progressive-liberal philosophy of lowering the standards bar.
Brilliant! Start them young to teach them that bad behavior will be codified as acceptable/tolerated. Then tell formative youth that stealing isn’t really stealing if you “need” something under “restorative justice” guidelines. What’s next? Violent crime is okay if someone really disrespected you or hurt your feelings?
Why is everything out of our state government lately is contrary to how most of us were raised and defies common sense?!?
The teacher profession is dying. Teachers use to become teachers to actually teach and nourish youth. Now, they are babysitters for unappreciative and entitled parents that are raising future criminals.
Holding children accountable for their actions is a thing of the past. Anyone who fails to adhere to standards of conduct is given a hug, kiss, and excuse for continuing the behavior. No wonder folks are out of control and not looking to improve. Bad behavior is rewarded and totally acceptable.
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