Children S Policy and Law Initiative of Indiana

Children’s Policy and Law Initiative of Indiana

Summit on Equitable School Discipline and the Decriminalization of Children

October 8, 2013 11:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Lawrence Township Education and Community Center 6501 Sunnyside Rd. Indianapolis 46236 Approved for 4.3 CLE Hours; 4.75 CEU Hours

Program Agenda

The CPLI Board of Directors extends Special Thanks to Lawrence Township Schools for hosting the Summit and for offering extensive support in planning this event. CPLI also wishes to thank Dibella’s and Target for their in-kind donations.

11:30-11:50 Registration and Lunch

11:50-12:00 Introduction JauNae Hanger, Board Chair, Children’s Policy and Law Initiative of Indiana (CPLI) Hon. Viola J. Taliaferro, Retired Judge, Bloomington

12:00-12:55 A National Perspective: The School to Prison Pipeline Keynote Speaker: Matthew Cregor, NAACP Legal Defense Fund

12:55-1:15 Overview on Disproportionality and Racial Disparities in Indiana Dr. Russell Skiba, Director, IU CEEP Equity Project

1:15-2:45 Attaining Equitable School Discipline for Indiana Children Exclusionary discipline practices (suspension and expulsion) by schools can lead to student disengagement, academic failure, dropout and juvenile justice involvement. Indiana school data indicates that these practices have disproportionately impacted youth of color and children with special needs. A panel of educators, juvenile justice officials and legislators discuss fundamental changes in the law that would support equitable school discipline and positive practices in schools.

Moderator: Carole Craig, Retired School Educator; School Equity Consultant Panelists: Dr. Concetta Raimondi, Metropolitan School District Lawrence Township Superintendent Neesha Patel, Marion County Public Defender Agency, Juvenile Division Magistrate Heather Mollo, Bartholomew Circuit Court Margaret Jones, President, Disability Legal Services of Indiana Dr. Russell Skiba, Director, IU CEEP Equity Project Indiana General Assembly Rep. Gregory Porter (Indianapolis) Indiana General Assembly Sen. Patricia Miller (Indianapolis)

2:45-3:00 Break

3:00-4:30 Revisiting Direct File and the Criminalization of Youth Over the last several decades Indiana’s direct file statute (I.C.31-30-1-4) has grown to include 12 separate criminal offenses, in addition to listed drug offenses. Children who are 16 years of age or older who are charged with a listed offense are excluded from juvenile jurisdiction and prosecuted as adults. A panel of juvenile and criminal justice officials and experts, along with legislators, will discuss the consequences to youth of bypassing juvenile court and how the definition of criminal gang activity (I.C. 35-45-9-1; 35-45-9-3) and prosecutorial charging practices regarding the criminal gang activity and drug listed offenses are of particular concern to disproportionate minority contact. Implications for routine data reporting and monitoring will also be discussed, and potential legislative solutions considered.

Moderator: Frances Watson, Clinical Professor of Law, Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law Panelists Jill Johnson, Marion County Public Defender, Juvenile Division Dr. Matthew Aalsma, IU School of Medicine, Adolescent Psychology Magistrate Gary Chavers, Marion Superior Court, Juvenile Division Detective Steve Schafer, IMPD, Indianapolis Indiana General Assembly Rep. Linda Lawson (Hammond) Indiana General Assembly Rep. Jud McMillin (Brookville)

4:30-5:00 Wrap Up and Next Steps involving summit speakers with Sen. Jean Breaux and fellow legislators.