Education Reform Now CT Stands With The Black And Puerto Rican Caucus In Calling For General Assembly To Uphold Malloy Veto Of SB453
Bill would disproportionately effect students of color and those with disabilities
Marks a return to “zero-tolerance” policies of the past
Hartford, CT — Education Reform Now CT is calling on the General Assembly to support Governor Malloy’s veto of Substitute Senate Bill 453: An Act Concerning Classroom Safety and Disruptive Behavior and abandon efforts to override this decision.
Substitute Senate Bill 453: An Act Concerning Classroom Safety and Disruptive Behavior was passed by the General Assembly during the 2018 session and Governor Malloy refused his signature on it’s passage on June 7th, 2018. The enactment of the legislation would create a new protocol to remove any student from a classroom who has been accused of participating in an incident that causes any physical injury or is deemed disruptive, regardless of severity, and sets up an arbitrary process for the student in question to facilitate their return to regular instruction.
This bill has significant moral and legal issues, including adding challenges for children seeking to return to the classroom following any level of violation, vague and arbitrary standards for what behaviors would be considered “disruptive,” and it is likely that these regulations would run afoul of the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
“While the safety and security of all students and teachers is of the highest priority, we cannot allow the passage of a bill that has the potential to harm the hopes and opportunities of our highest risk pupils with arbitrary and potentially unfair consequences,” said Amy Dowell, CT State Director for ERN. “Connecticut is a national leader in justice reform, and this legislation would mark a significant step backward in our efforts on behalf of all young people, but particularly students of color and those with disabilities, who disproportionately face unfair disciplinary action.”
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Contact: Ashley Johnson, ashleyj@edreformnow.org