Add your name: Schools in New York​​ should NOT replicate and reinforce patterns of racial and economic oppression

Friend, every student deserves to be able to learn safely and with dignity. But as our education system has become increasingly intertwined with the criminal legal system, Black, Indigenous, Latinx, LGBTQ+, and disabled students are being disproportionately criminalized for normal childhood behavior and placed on a pathway to confinement. [Sign and send a petition to your U.S. senator(s): Cosponsor the Counseling Not Criminalization in Schools Act (S. 2125).]( [SIGN AND SEND A PETITION]( The Counseling Not Criminalization in Schools Act, which was [reintroduced]( this session by Rep. Ayanna Pressley and Sen. Chris Murphy, would end federal funding for police in schools, and instead put this money toward helping schools hire counselors, social workers, mental health practitioners, and other support personnel to create a safer learning environment. While there’s little evidence of any benefit of having police in schools, there is a disturbing pattern of violence when police are present. Black and disabled students are [arrested]( at school by police officers at a rate three times higher than their non-disabled or white peers. Even worse, students of color are more likely to be assaulted by police than their white peers. In contrast, supportive approaches to improving school climates — such as restorative and trauma-responsive practices, positive behavioral interventions and supports, mental health care, and additional counselors, nurses, and social workers — have proven to be effective at addressing the root causes of conflict and reducing school infractions. Nevertheless, many schools with police don’t have counselors, mental health professionals, or other individuals specifically trained to help students cope with stress or trauma. [Sign and send a petition to your U.S. senator(s): Cosponsor the Counseling Not Criminalization in Schools Act (S. 2125).]( [SIGN AND SEND A PETITION]( Every dollar spent on police, metal detectors, and surveillance cameras is money that could instead be invested in evidence-based and trauma-informed services that create culturally sustaining and positive learning environments. Our schools should not mirror a criminal legal system that replicates and reinforces patterns of racial and economic oppression. Congress can and must transform the way schools approach discipline, and decrease the criminalization of our young learners. [Sign and send a petition to your U.S. senator(s): Cosponsor the Counseling Not Criminalization in Schools Act (S. 2125).]( [SIGN AND SEND A PETITION]( Keep fighting, Monique Teal, Daily Kos Daily Kos Relies on Readers Like You We don't have billionaire backers like some right-wing media outlets. Half our revenue comes from readers like you, meaning we literally couldn't do this work without you. Can you chip in $5 right now to help Daily Kos keep fighting? [Chip in $5]( If you wish to donate by mail instead, please send a check to Daily Kos, PO Box 70036, Oakland, CA, 94612. Contributions to Daily Kos are not tax deductible. Sent via [ActionNetwork.org](. To update your email address, change your name or address, or to stop receiving emails from Daily Kos, please [click here](.