Tenth Annual Urban Child Symposium
Restorative Practices and the Urban Child:
Rethinking School Discipline
Wednesday, April 4, 2018
John and Frances Angelos Law Center Moot Court Room
8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
2018 Urban Child Symposium
OSI - Baltimore City Public Schools Restorative Practices Plan
OSI - Baltimore City Public Schools Restorative Practices Report Summary
Presentation - Graciella Drew, Restorative Practices Facilitator
Presentation - Police Chief Hamm
Presentation - Principal Rhonda Richetta
To view a full length audio and video recording of the symposium click here.
Schools around the country have relied heavily on out-of-school suspensions and expulsions to correct behaviors ranging from uniform violations to fighting. National research reveals that students experiencing “zero tolerance” policies can become marginalized, resulting in chronic absence, academic failure and school dropout. Disturbing disparities also exist in the application of these punishments, particularly among students of color and students with disabilities. Schools nationwide are exploring common-sense approaches to discipline that build positive communities.
In partnership with the Open Society Institute-Baltimore, the Sayra and Neil Meyerhoff Center for Families, Children and the Courts devotes its tenth annual Urban Child Symposium to examining alternatives to harsh school discipline practices. Education, justice and policy experts will focus on restorative practices and restorative justice as powerful vehicles to strengthen relationships between adults and students. Panelists will discuss chronic absenteeism, school disengagement, drop out and the school-to- prison pipeline. They will introduce the concept of restorative practices and efforts to make Baltimore Public City Schools a restorative practices district.
Featured Speakers
Welcome and Opening Remarks
Ronald Weich, Dean, University of Baltimore School of Law
Barbara Babb, Associate Professor of Law and Director, Sayra and Neil Meyerhoff Center for Families, Children and the Courts
Keynote Address
United States Representative John Sarbanes, Maryland's 3rd District
Panel One: The Problem: Disciplinary Practices in Schools
Schools have routinely relied on traditional punitive disciplinary practices, such as zero tolerance policies, in an attempt to control student behavior and create a safe school environment. Panelists will look at the effectiveness of these practices and discuss whether they meet the developmental needs of youth and achieve their intended goals.
Panelists:
Monique Dixon, Deputy Director of Policy, NAACP Legal Defense Fund
Steve Korr, Lead Team Member, Akaben L.L.C.
Frank Kros, President, The Upside Down Organization
Heather Warnken, Visiting Fellow, U.S. Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs
Moderator:
Gloria Danziger , Senior Fellow, Sayra and Neil Meyerhoff Center for Families, Children and the Courts
Lunch (Provided by the students of the National Academy Foundation High School)
Restorative Practices Speaker/Facilitator
Graciella Drew , Restorative Practices Trainer and Consultant
Panel Two: The Solution: Restorative Practices and Restorative Justice
Panelists will discuss the integration of restorative practices and restorative justice into schools and the implications for student success. Participants will explain how restorative practices are implemented to build community, repair relationships, and strengthen school engagement.
Panelists:
Rhonda Richetta, Principal, City Springs Elementary/Middle School
Akil Hamm, Baltimore City Public School Police Chief
BCPS Student(s) (TBD)
Moderator:
Karen E. Webber, Director, Education and Youth Development Program, Open Society Institute-Baltimore
Closing Remarks
Barbara Babb, Associate Professor of Law and Director, Sayra and Neil Meyerhoff Center for Families, Children and the Courts
For more information, contact Michele Hong-Polansky at mhongpolansky@ubalt.edu or 410-837-5288.
Thank you for your interest in the 2018 Urban Child Symposium!