Wichita Public Schools Settle Discrimination Case With US Justice

Middle school students walk between classes at A.D. Henderson School in Boca Raton, Fla., Tuesday, April 16, 2024. When teachers at the K-8 public school, one of the top-performing schools in Florida,

The largest public school district in Kansas, Wichita Public Schools, has reached a settlement with the US Justice Department to address discriminatory disciplinary practices. The agreement comes after a federal civil rights investigation revealed a pattern of discrimination against Black and disabled students within the district.

As part of the settlement, the district has committed to making significant changes to its disciplinary procedures. This includes ending the use of seclusion, reforming restraint practices, and refraining from referring students to law enforcement for routine school discipline matters.

The Justice Department found that Black students in the district were subjected to harsher disciplinary actions compared to their White counterparts for similar conduct and backgrounds. Insubordination was identified as the most common offense leading to discipline for Black students, with Black girls facing particularly disproportionate treatment.

Students with disabilities were also disproportionately affected by the district's disciplinary practices. During the investigation period, students with disabilities accounted for 98% of the district's restraints and seclusions, with some students experiencing excessive instances of restraint and seclusion.

Changes include ending seclusion, reforming restraint practices, and limiting law enforcement referrals.

Settlement addresses discriminatory disciplinary practices in Wichita Public Schools.

Black students faced harsher discipline compared to White peers for similar conduct.

As part of the settlement, Wichita Public Schools will establish an Office of Behavior Management Support and Oversight to monitor restraint practices and ensure compliance with the new policies. Educators will only be permitted to restrain students in situations where there is an imminent danger of serious physical harm.

The district will also develop a new code of conduct policy aimed at standardizing dress code policies and implementing a behavior intervention protocol to prevent discrimination in disciplinary actions. Additionally, counseling and compensatory education will be provided to students who have been subjected to repeated seclusion.

These changes are set to be implemented by the start of the upcoming school year to create a more equitable and supportive learning environment for all students within the Wichita Public Schools district.