Research indicates that suspensions are ineffective and harmful and that they deepen academic inequities, especially for students of color and students with disabilities.

The recommendations in this report were developed in partnership with students, parents, and community agencies such as the Parent Leadership Advisory Council (PLAC), Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC), Bilingual Education Council (BEC), Teens With Attitude, Teen Empowerment, Citizen Action of NY, Alliance for Quality Education, Roc/ACTS, the Community Task Force on School Climate, IBERO American Action League, and many more, as well as those who attended our numerous budget teach-ins and community forums.

The Children’s Agenda is deeply concerned that school closures are disproportionately harming our most vulnerable children. We believe schools need to reopen safely as soon as possible, but are concerned the politicization of the issue, and the lack of sufficient resources and clear guidelines for schools, is putting reopening—and children’s wellbeing—in jeopardy.

Children will be gravely impacted by their parents’ financial struggles and the simultaneous cuts to school budgets and social programs. Children who attend the Rochester City School District (RCSD) are especially vulnerable given the district’s already deep financial problems and the generational effects of poverty and racism.

Children will be gravely impacted by their parents’ financial struggles and the simultaneous cuts to school budgets and social programs. Children who attend the Rochester City School District (RCSD) are especially vulnerable given the district’s already deep financial problems and the generational effects of poverty and racism.

Young Children Need Nurturing Not Removal:
Suspensions in K-3 Fact Sheet

The purpose of The Children’s Agenda’s review of the RCSD budget, along with our annual reviews of the City and County budgets, is to break open the budget process in a way that increases transparency, accountability and parent empowerment. We present information

We present information about RCSD revenue and expenditures, including changes proposed in the budget currently under consideration. We offer a detailed look at four areas that are prominent in parents’ concerns: special education, English language learners, school climate, and early childhood education.