Criminal Justice & Youth Outreach (CJYO): May 2016

Sunday, May 29, 2016

Black Dove: Mamá, Mi’jo and Me

Black Dove: Mamá, Mi’jo and Me

by Ana Castillo

In new memoir, famed Latina writer talks about cancer, bisexuality, son’s imprisonment

Highlights from the El Paso Times interview by Ramón Rentería:

“I was adamant about not addressing my own life,” Castillo said in a telephone interview from Chicago. “But there came a time, as a teacher of memoir writing, to walk my talk.”

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Castillo thought of herself as a failed mother when her son, a model student, was convicted for robbery and sent to prison. He put his life back on track after serving time.

“It was probably the most painful experience I have ever felt. As a mother, we desire to keep our children safe and to provide not only the things they need but also to provide them with a certain life in which we hope they are not feeling pain or suffering,” she said. “It’s difficult to do that as a single parent, especially when you’re a Latina, because there’s so much criticism against our culture and women.”

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“I’m a self-taught writer,” she said. “I did not study writing or literature — although I’ve taught many subjects for many years, including writing.”

Rentería, Ramón. "Interview with Author Ana Castillo." El Paso Times. USA Today Network, 18 May 2016. Web. <http://www.elpasotimes.com/story/entertainment/books/2016/05/18/interview-author-ana-castillo/84537632/>.

Saturday, May 28, 2016

EPISD Alternative Placements 2013-2014

Highlights from Lindsay Anderson's El Paso Times Article titled "EPISD trying to stem 'jarring number of students removed for discipline" published June 27th, 2015

"El Paso Independent School District sends twice as many students to alternative settings because of discipline problems than all other school districts in the county combined." Administrators describe this issue as "jarring".

EPISD had 2,213 alternative placements 2013-2014 in on or off campus alternative education programs. The numbers rivaled larger school districts in cities like Austin, Forth Worth and San Antonio's northside.

EPISD alternative education placements totaled more than 3.3% of student enrollment.

Combined other El Paso County school districts totaled 1,381 alternative placements, 1% or 2% of enrollment.

No. 1 in the state is Arlington Independent School District, major urban district with 7% enrollment.

Reasons for ending up in alternative education include bringing weapons to school, or minor offenses such as "persistent misbehavior'.

Alternative placement can last up to 90 days or be extended.

Alternative placements in El Paso include LaFarelle Alternative Middle School and Raymond Telles Academy.

There were also 140 elementary school alternative placements 2013-2014.

Anderson writes that administrators feel "students placed in alternative setting are more likely to encounter law enforcement and be prospective criminal offenders." Also "less likely to graduate on time or graduate at all" according to Ray Lozano, EPISD executive director for school leadership operations.

The article distinguishes "discretionary removals" as removals that can be for anything including fights or misbehavior.

EPISD reported 1,524 discretionary removals 2013-2014. Bigger than all other Texas school districts except Arlington and Houston. Dallas has 170,000 students had reported only 683 discretionary removals.

EPISD principals and administrators decide to pilot a national framework called Positive Behavioral Interventions and Support. The issues in EPISD raises concerns on a national level of the "school to prison pipeline."

On the PBIS, Superintendent Royce Avery is quoted stating "It's really teaching kids exactly what you want them to do... As parents, we teach our kids what we want them to do and they do it. It's the same philosophy for PBIS."

Article quotes, "All administrators emphasizes that the student conduct code is still in place regardless of PBIS, and teacher and student safety is priority."

Citation
Anderson, Lindsay. "EPISD Trying to Stem 'jarring' Number of Students Removed for Discipline." El Paso Times. 27 June 2015. Web <http://www.elpasotimes.com/story/news/education/episd/2015/06/27/episd-trying-stem-jarring-number-students-removed-discipline/71956420/>.