Video: TPSD Works to Prevent Possible Discriminatory Student Discipline

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TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) — Officials with the Tupelo Public School District have reached an agreement with the U.S. Department of Education to ensure nondiscrimination when it comes to student discipline.

Three years ago, the Office for Civil Rights began an investigation into the district’s discipline policies. The investigation revealed that more African American students had been disciplined than white students.

The district has agreed to a number of corrective measures, such as consulting with experts to prevent discrimination in school discipline and extra training for staff .

Administrators say many of the guidelines were already implemented.

“We meet with our parents sooner than we had previously,” TPSD Assistant Superintendent Kim Britton said. “We believe that a partnership between parents and schools is essential for any child in the Tupelo Public School District. We focus heavily on incentives, we set goals for our students and when our students meet those goals they will receive rewards.”

TPSD officials stressed that race has never been a factor when it comes to student discipline.