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Rockford Public Schools under fire for alleged racial bias in disciplinary practices | News

Photo of Lina Portman Lina Portman4 weeks ago
0 2 minutes read

ROCKFORD, Ill. — The National Center for Youth Law and the Roderick & Solange MacArthur Justice Center have filed a lawsuit against Rockford Public Schools (RPS), alleging racial discrimination in the handling of minor school disciplinary issues.

Today, a federal complaint was filed with the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights, citing violations of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discriminatory actions by entities receiving federal funding.

RPS is accused of disproportionately targeting Black students and other students of color by referring them to law enforcement officers, issuing municipal tickets and other practices that violate federal rights, creating a sense of criminalization and insecurity among these students and hindering their academic progress.

The complaint urges the Office for Civil Rights to require RPS to review its disciplinary procedures, including its use of school resource officers (SROs), to ensure justice and fairness for all students in the district.

“Black students in Rockford Public Schools have endured a climate of unwelcoming treatment, with experiences very different from those of their white peers,” said Nina Monfredo, an attorney representing the National Center for Youth Law. “These students have a right to a quality education without being unfairly constrained or burdened by a municipal ticketing system.”

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According to the National Center for Youth Law and the Roderick & Solange MacArthur Justice Center:

RPS consistently ranks among the top five districts in Illinois in suspensions and expulsions, relying heavily on exclusionary disciplinary methods that remove students from classrooms. These tactics disproportionately affect Black students who, although they made up 31% of the student body in the 2023-2024 academic year, accounted for 55% of SRO referrals. Alarmingly, black students are referred to SROs at a rate more than three times that of their white counterparts, with black students with disabilities facing an even higher referral rate.

Additionally, black students are much more likely than white students to receive municipal citations for subjective disciplinary infractions such as fighting or trespassing. Over the past six years, 75 percent of the tickets issued by the district were issued to black students, while only one white student received a ticket. These violations can result in fines and fees exceeding $750.

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Among the documented student experiences:

– A black high school freshman was unfairly targeted and searched by an SRO investigating a report that he was smoking in the restroom. Despite the presence of multiple students, the SRO falsely claimed that the freshman was the sole occupant. The student was unfairly suspended, missing several days of school and falling behind academically. These encounters left her feeling unsafe and anxious on campus.

– Another black student, victim of harassment and assault without intervention from staff, was expelled for more than a year following a physical altercation. Despite evidence exonerating the student, including video footage showing attempts to avoid conflict, an administrator's recommendation for a four-day suspension was not heeded, leading to the expulsion.

“The punitive disciplinary measures employed by RPS jeopardize the long-term prospects of students,” noted Zoe Li, a legal researcher at the MacArthur Justice Center. “Students deserve effective, enriching, evidence-based solutions that prioritize their well-being and promote respect. Our commitment is to ensure that Rockford Public Schools respects the rights of all of its students.

Response from Rockford Public Schools:

“The Rockford School District has not been notified by OCR of any complaints filed. To the extent the District receives notice from OCR, the District will respond accordingly.

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Photo of Lina Portman Lina Portman4 weeks ago
0 2 minutes read
Photo of Lina Portman

Lina Portman

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