Rep. Deering Questions School Discipline Law Amid Unit 5's Equity Efforts

State Rep. Regan Deering, R-Decatur, has raised concerns about a state law requiring schools to report discipline data and create reduction plans. Deering warns that this mandate could lead teachers to overlook minor misbehaviors, potentially allowing them to escalate into more serious problems. Meanwhile, McLean County Unit 5, which has consistently ranked in the top 20% statewide for racial disproportionality in discipline, has submitted a new Discipline Improvement Plan under the supervision of Dan Duardo, the district's superintendent.

Deering, a vocal critic of the law, believes it's an overreach by lawmakers. He argues that discipline should focus on behavior, not race, and that all students should be held to higher standards, regardless of their background. The law, however, requires schools with high or disproportionate suspensions to report their discipline data and create plans to reduce these numbers.

McLean County Unit 5, after being flagged for racial disparities in discipline, has taken steps to address the issue. The district appointed Duardo to draft a new disciplinary plan, aiming to reduce suspensions and promote fairness. Despite the challenges, Unit 5 has seen significant drops in overall and student-of-color suspensions for the 2023-24 school year, indicating progress in their efforts to improve discipline equity.

Deering's concerns about the reporting mandate and its potential consequences highlight the complexities of school discipline. Meanwhile, McLean County Unit 5's ongoing efforts to reduce racial disproportionality in discipline demonstrate a commitment to addressing these challenges. As the district continues to implement its new plan, the effectiveness of these measures will be closely watched.