A victory for Alabama students is possible

When a student faces expulsion or suspension, they are facing a consequence that can have a major impact on their lives. These disciplinary measures too often begin the school-to-prison pipeline and cut young people off from educational opportunities, yet students in Alabama do not get due process –– the basic right to have a hearing, representation, or present evidence. 

This is what happened to JaMarius in 2019. Watch JaMarius and his mother recount their nightmare experience here. 

We are the only state in the Southeast that does not grant due process to students.

Thankfully, SB203, a bill to grant students due process has passed the Senate. With just a handful of legislative days to go in our session, we must turn up the heat in the House to get this bill across the finish line: 

Not only are we the only state in the Southeast that doesn’t grant students due process –– we expel and suspend students at a rate well above the national average. This discrepancy is both costly and ineffective. 

Without this bill, students - particularly Black and Brown students - across the state won’t receive equitable treatment in their schools, and some end up unfairly and mistakenly excluded from school as a result. Students are counting on us to make sure they have a chance to defend themselves before they face life-altering disciplinary measures. Please join me to give them a fair shot: 

The Constitution gives rights we consider elementary to a functioning system of justice –– the right to a hearing, representation and the chance to present evidence. There is no reason to deny these rights to our students when they can be deprived of so much by expulsion or suspension.

Today, you and I have the chance to be their voice, making sure that no student gets unfairly punished without the chance to defend themselves.

Thank you, as always, for your support.