YAF and EdLaw Contribute to Article Urging for Support over Punishment in Brockton School Issues

Youth Advocacy Foundation (YAF) CEO, Marlies Spanjaard, and EdLaw senior attorney, Elizabeth Levitan, along with Michaela Lauture from the Brockton Education Justice Alliance and Leon Smith from the Citizens for Juvenile Justice released an article in the Boston Globe yesterday discussing the need for genuine dialogue about school safety in Brockton, highlighting recent misrepresentations and scapegoating of students by school officials. The $14 million district shortfall has led to teacher layoffs and unfilled positions, creating challenges for students.

Blaming students for systemic failures could exacerbate issues and push more students into the school-to-prison pipeline. The focus should be on support rather than punishment, with an emphasis on trauma-informed approaches and community involvement. The article calls for the implementation of models to address mental health needs and conflict resolution, stressing the importance of student voices in creating safe and supportive environments. Embracing developmentally appropriate approaches and adequate funding is essential for the well-being and success of students in Brockton and across Massachusetts.

To read the full article, please visit: https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/03/07/opinion/brockton-high-school-students-violence-support/