Nashville must be a city dedicated to the long-term growth of students

Success in life starts long before kids graduate from school and seek jobs. 

Long-term economic opportunity and well-being depends on years of learning and education, which are, in turn, influenced by access to health and housing, family and community supports, early childhood development and environmental issues, leadership and much more. 

I believe that in order for students to have a strong, equitable education they must first be in school on a regular basis. Closing the achievement gaps between our district’s highest performing students and lowest performing students is one of our greatest equity issues of our time. It’s important that our community step up to the challenge to be thoughtful and creative in how we realize results.

To that end, Metropolitan Nashville Public School Board is to be commended for passing a resolution to enact the policy that ends out-of-school suspensions, expulsions, or arrests in pre-K through 4th grade, except for the most egregious acts as identified by PASSAGE (Positive and Safe Schools Advancing Greater Equity). 

While the number of incidents resulting in out of school suspensions in Metro Schools has decreased, from 15,246 in 2016–2017 to 13,464 in 2017–2018, the need for a policy to end out-of-school suspensions, expulsions, or arrests in pre-K through 4th grade will help close the disparity gap that lingers. Reports show that Black students are three times more likely, and Latinx students are two times more likely, to be issued out-of-school suspensions than their white peers. This new policy will go a long way in reducing the disproportionate impact previous discipline practices were having on students of color, specifically black boys.

The policy will also align with the district’s commitment to Social Emotional Learning (SEL) and restorative practices. As one MNPS District expert said in conversation with the Nashville Chamber’s Report Card Committee, “If a student doesn’t know how to read, we teach them. If they don’t know how to do math, we teach them. If they don’t know how to behave, we punish them.” If the punishment is suspension, expulsion and/or an arrest that student (child) is not in class to learn the concepts of Math, Science, English and the social interactions needed to be successful in the market place. Furthermore, this policy reinforces and affirms Dr. Shawn Joseph’s, MNPS Director of Schools, efforts to create a positive and safe learning environment for all students.

Now that the MNPS Board has stepped up, it’s our turn to step up and help community organizations like Gideon’s Army, NOAH, the Oasis Center and STARS Nashville, longtime advocates of restorative practices. It’s time to make children and public schools a priority. We cannot pretend that Nashville’s social challenges are not reflected in our schools and that our community problems are going to correct themselves. 72% of our students live at some level of poverty, and our schools struggle with a high mobility rate that’s tied to housing instability, and a host of other social challenges that our schools cannot address alone, nor should that be the expectation. 

Again, when students are in school they get to learn. The success of our children dictates the success of our community, which in turn promotes the true success of our town. Nashville cannot simply be an “it city” for marketing purposes. Nashville must also and always be a city dedicated to the long-term growth, achievement, and success of her children.

Clifton Harris is the co-chair of the 2018 Education Report Card committee. A long-time community organizer and advocate, he was appointed President and CEO of the Urban League of Middle Tennessee in 2016. Additionally, he co-chaired the Transit for Nashville’s Engagement Coalition, is an Elder at Strong Tower Bible Church, and an alumni of Leadership Nashville.