Three years ago, members of SUCCESS (Students United to Create a Climate of Engagement, Support and Safety) started working to make Fresno schools better through restorative justice. Because of their hard work, FUSD board members voted on May 8 to implement restorative justice practices in several Fresno schools. Watch the resolution, the vote, remarks from SUCCESS youth and see what the future holds for restorative justice in Fresno.

Data shows that one in 9 students are suspended nationally, with racial disparities widening. The Central Valley city of Fresno, CA. is among districts seeking to reverse this trend. Under a zero-tolerance school discipline policy, the district has long seen high numbers of both suspensions and expulsions. But in a major reversal last week, Superintendent Michael Hanson announced that he would begin funding district-wide restorative justice programs.

Students, parents, teachers and allies addressed Fresno Unified’s school board members during a school discipline workshop on April 10th. Their message: restorative justice is the answer to keeping students in school, learning.

Jane Carretero’s letter to the editor of The Fresno Bee was published on Tuesday, March 12th.

More than three years ago, a group of Fresno youths launched an effort to remake the city’s public education system. We knew that too many young people were dropping out of high school and we wanted to stop this epidemic. This youth team called itself SUCCESS (Students United to Create a Climate of Engagement Support and Safety), and we did a tremendous amount of research over the past few years.