Beyond Zero Tolerance: Centering Culturally Responsive Social Emotional Learning for Equitable Outcomes and Dismantling Disparity

This session examines Culturally Responsive SEL, informed by DisCrit, for equitable outcomes for Black students with disabilities. It explores how zero tolerance exacerbates discipline disparities and the school-to-prison pipeline. Participants gain actionable strategies to foster empathetic mindsets, improve school climate, and dismantle systemic barriers in SEL and disciplinary practices.Participants will be able to: 1. Analyze the disproportionate impact of zero tolerance policies on Black students with disabilities by identifying specific connections between these policies and the school-to-prison pipeline. 2. Outline key components of professional development and restorative justice practices necessary to challenge systemic barriers and promote genuine equity in disciplinary practices for Black students with disabilities.