Rule 08.
Keep a Low Profile While in School
Listen To This Rule
Narrated by Ashley Ayer
Black students are disciplined in school at a higher rate than students of other races.
Classrooms are where students learn many of the things that help shape and guide them later in life. And that can mean something as simple and straightforward as basic English and math skills or something as important and complex as societal norms. Unfortunately, some of those norms reflect an underlying institutional bias within the very educational system itself—Black students are accused of wrongdoing and are
punished
Why Are We Criminalizing Black Students?
Education Week gives an overview of one of their own studies that focuses on racial disparities in school discipline.
Disparities in Disciplinary Actions
Black students are subjected to significantly higher rates of disciplinary action than white students.
Although there have been dozens of research studies and federal investigations done in an attempt to understand and remedy the situation, the truth is that there likely won’t be a solution for some time. So it’s left to Black students themselves to try and stay under the radar and not bring any unnecessary attention to themselves.
Let’s Erase this Rule
Here are some resources for you to educate yourself and inspire action.
Watch the PushOut Documentary About the Educational, Judicial, and Racial Disparities Facing Black Girls in School
Educator Videos: Hear From Experts Who Have Researched and Worked With Girls Who Are Being Pushed Out
#BYPSpotlight Podcast Series by Black Youth Project and AirGo, Featuring Black Academics and Activists
Fare of the Free Child Podcast With a Focus on Deschooling Oneself, Decolonizing Education, and Exploring Radical Self-Expression
Disproportionality in Student Discipline
Black Students “Face Racial Bias” in School Discipline
How Can Educators Tackle Stereotypes That Negatively Influence Classroom Performance?
Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria? By Beverly Daniel Tatum
For White Folks Who Teach in the Hood…and the Rest of Y’all Too: Reality Pedagogy and Urban Education, by Christopher Emdin
Support the Center for Racial Justice in Education’s Mission Is To Train and Empower Educators To Dismantle Patterns of Racism and Injustice in Our Schools and Communities
Support the TNTP movement to help School Systems Achieve Their Goals for Students
Support the Communities in Schools Movement To Empower Students To Succeed Inside and Outside the Classroom
Support the Education Trust Movement To Reach a High Academic Achievement of All Students — Particularly Those of Color or Living in Poverty
Support the Black Girls Code Movement To Help Girls Learn To Code
Support the Dream Hustle Code Movement To Help Kids From Underrepresented Communities Learn To Code
Support the Girls for A Change Movement To Empower Young Women by Inviting Them To Design, Lead, Fund, and Implement Social Change Projects
Support the BYP100 Movement To Create Justice and Freedom for All Black People
Support the Petition, #PoliceFreeSchools
Support the Petition To Stop Criminalizing Black and Latinx Girls and Put an End to the Pushout Act
#StandWithBlackGirls by Petitioning Your School Board To Evaluate and Improve Their Punishment Policies Affecting Students of Color
Support the Petition To Educate Children on Racism Through the School System
Sign the Petition #FreeToBe: Black People Deserve Dignity
Take Harvard’s Implicit Project Test and See if You Have Any Biased Associations About Race, Skin Tone, and Related Matters
Advocate for the Year of Purpose Black Lives Matter Initiative at Your School
Advocate for Racial Equity on School Boards
Join the Trauma-Informed School Learning Network for School System Leaders and Educators
Explore These Anti-Racist Lesson Plans & Resources for Educators
Learn How To Lead Conversations With Friends, Family, Students, Educators, and Community Members About Race
Read How We Can Support Black Boys to Thrive At School
Join a Girl Action Team Through the Girls for A Change Movement
Share on Your Social
Support the cause and empower others by downloading and sharing our rule cards. Be sure to tag @unwrittenrulesproject on Instagram and use the hashtag #erasetherules.
