Fighting Discrimination in Public Schools: Tips for Parents and Advocates

NAACP STATE CONFERENCE REPORT NAACP STATE CONFERENCE REPORT KILLEEN, TX KILLEEN, TX Presented by: Cassondra L. Redmond Presented by: Cassondra L. Redmond

FIGHTING & AVOIDING DISCRIMINATION IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS Did you know? Did you know? 1. 1. In Texas Teachers have the right to kick a student out of the classroom without In Texas Teachers have the right to kick a student out of the classroom without documentation. documentation. 2. 2. Some students can cope and survive at home but not when they get to a new environment Some students can cope and survive at home but not when they get to a new environment like college. like college. 3. 3. Currently the education system does not require Teachers to attend cultural awareness Currently the education system does not require Teachers to attend cultural awareness courses. courses. 4. 4. Teachers and Administration need knowledge as well Teachers and Administration need knowledge as well

FIGHTING & AVOIDING DISCRIMINATION IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS Get parents involved in school: Get parents involved in school: - - Ask questions Ask questions - - Challenge committee decisions Challenge committee decisions - - Ask for documentation of events that occur Ask for documentation of events that occur - - Create your own documentation Create your own documentation - - Attend Board meetings Attend Board meetings

FIGHTING & AVOIDING DISCRIMINATION IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS Understand and be familiar with school policies: Understand and be familiar with school policies: - - Ask to see a copy of the policy Ask to see a copy of the policy - - Understand school codes Understand school codes - - Paperworking - - ARD ARD - - (Annual Review Decision Committee) (Annual Review Decision Committee) Need advocate for our minority students Need advocate for our minority students - - Students of color are very often without an advocate or the support network. Students of color are very often without an advocate or the support network. Paperworking

CONDUCTING INVESTIGATIONS NAACP s role in the complaint process NAACP s role in the complaint process - - Always get the complaint in writing Always get the complaint in writing - - Interview all involved parties. Make sure both sides has an Interview all involved parties. Make sure both sides has an opportunity to share concerns/facts. opportunity to share concerns/facts. - - Build working relationship with the individual Build working relationship with the individual - - Listen Listen - - Need to know when to back off Need to know when to back off

LEGAL REDRESS How can the NAACP Help? How can the NAACP Help? 1. 1. When litigation is filed the Legal Redress Committee should supervise the process. When litigation is filed the Legal Redress Committee should supervise the process. 2. 2. Meet with local Judges and share concerns. Meet with local Judges and share concerns. 3. 3. Do not try and get off Jury Panels Do not try and get off Jury Panels 4. 4. Recommend revision in complaint forms Recommend revision in complaint forms 5. 5. Record/videotape statements Record/videotape statements 6. 6. Evaluate use of force reports Evaluate use of force reports 7. 7. Assist the Police department in the investigation (where appropriate) Assist the Police department in the investigation (where appropriate) 8. 8. Understand the Laws Understand the Laws 9. 9. Educate families and the community Educate families and the community

DOMESTIC MINOR SEX TRAFFICKING (DMST) Two of the most common types: Two of the most common types: - -Forced Labor and Sexual Slavery. Forced Labor and Sexual Slavery. Victims include Victims include girls, boys, and LGBTQ youth. girls, boys, and LGBTQ youth. Average age of entry 12 Average age of entry 12- -13 Victims average life span is 7 years. Victims average life span is 7 years. Sales surpassed the sell of weapons. In the US a child can be sold for less than $99. Sales surpassed the sell of weapons. In the US a child can be sold for less than $99. Minor Sex Trafficking is a 50 billion dollar business. Minor Sex Trafficking is a 50 billion dollar business. Less than 1% of cases move forward to be prosecuted Less than 1% of cases move forward to be prosecuted Traffickers are increasingly using social networking apps and sites to target and recruit Traffickers are increasingly using social networking apps and sites to target and recruit children. children. 13

DOMESTIC MINOR SEX TRAFFICKING (DMST) How can the NAACP Help? How can the NAACP Help? 1. 1. Know the signs to look for. Know the signs to look for. 2. 2. Understand ways to keep your child safer. Understand ways to keep your child safer. 3. 3. If something does not seem right, ask questions. If something does not seem right, ask questions. 4. 4. Understand the victims mindset. Educate potential victims. Understand the victims mindset. Educate potential victims. 5. 5. Raise perception of the community about the harm that is caused. Educate the community. Raise perception of the community about the harm that is caused. Educate the community. 6. 6. Join local community efforts to end Sex Trafficking. Belton County has a Sex Trafficking Round Join local community efforts to end Sex Trafficking. Belton County has a Sex Trafficking Round Table. Table. 7. Stay up to date on state and federal legislation. 7. Stay up to date on state and federal legislation.

NAACP STATE CONFERENCE Overall Theme Overall Theme Education is key Education is key Knowledge will open the door Knowledge will open the door Get involved in the community Get involved in the community Our minority children need advocates and support networks Our minority children need advocates and support networks Knowledge Is Power Knowledge Is Power