SAINT PAUL, Minn. – Today, the House Education Policy Committee discussed legislation authored by Representative Ruth Richardson (DFL-Mendota Heights) to strengthen non-exclusionary discipline in schools, which disproportionally impacts Black, Indigenous, and students with disabilities.
“If we want to close the achievement gap, it’s critical all of our students have equal access to learn,” said Rep. Ruth Richardson (DFL-Mendota Heights), chair of the House Education Policy Committee. “The data is clear. Black and Indigenous students and students with disabilities are being kept out of the classroom for behaviors that white students and students without disabilities engage in. This bill would even the playing field and ensure every child gets support first before they are dismissed from school.”
According to the Minnesota Department of Human Rights, Native American and Black students are ten times and eight times more likely, respectively, to be suspended or expelled than their white peers.
Rep. Richardson’s bill expand the current prohibition on exclusion, suspension, and expulsion for children in preschool or prekindergarten programs to also apply to students in kindergarten through grade 3. Current statute prohibits dismissals for children in preschool or prekindergarten programs unless non-exclusionary discipline measures have been exhausted and there is an ongoing, serious safety threat to the child or others. This provision became law in 2020.
The legislation was referred to the House Education Finance Committee.
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