Searching for Solutions: Demystifying Disproportionality through DisCrit

Black youth are overrepresented in San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) in both special education and suspensions. Given this significant disproportionality, this study centers the voices of those most impacted by exclusionary actions: Black youth who have been suspended, both in and outside of special education. SFUSD cannot fully enact anti-racist commitments without examining who and how it excludes through instructional and discipline practices. This study’s aim is to build tools for educators to enact their racial justice commitments through reflections on pedagogy and policy from students. Specifically, the project explores trajectories of and strategies identified by Black students that focus on recognizing and reducing exclusionary discipline. Additionally, by centering their voices, this study seeks to create affirming spaces for Black students in SFUSD.

In this research memo, we present findings from a preliminary analysis of data collected to-date. Accordingly, we use language throughout that is reflective of its preliminary nature (e.g., emerging patterns). A full report and an updated research memo will be completed by August 2023.