Surrey DPAC Launches Room Clear Tracker to Expose Invisible School Exclusion
The Surrey District Parent Advisory Council (DPAC) has launched an innovative tool, the Room Clear Tracker, to shed light on a largely invisible form of exclusion in British Columbia's public schools. This initiative, supported by the Surrey Teachers' Association (STA) and CUPE 728, aims to bring transparency to 'room clear' incidents, which occur when a student in crisis leads to the removal of other students from the classroom.
Room clears are not formally tracked by the Ministry of Education or most school districts, making it difficult to gauge their prevalence and impact. However, the Surrey DPAC reports that over 50 such incidents were documented in Surrey alone last year. Anne Whitmore, president of Surrey DPAC, emphasizes that these incidents highlight gaps in support for students with complex needs.
Amrit Sanghe, president of the Surrey Teachers' Association, echoes this concern, stressing the need for smaller classes, more supports, and resources to create real inclusion. B.C.'s Education Minister Lisa Beare acknowledges the issue, stating that the goal is to ensure every child is safe and can learn, with record funding provided to districts, including Surrey.
The Room Clear Tracker, available online, enables documentation and raises awareness of these incidents. While not meant to blame students, the tool aims to make the invisible visible and prompt action during Community Inclusion Month. By working together, the Surrey DPAC, STA, and CUPE 728 hope to promote transparency and ensure that all students have access to safe and inclusive learning environments.
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