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For many years, the response to student misconduct by schools in Hillsborough County, Florida was out-of-school suspension. But this approach often hurt more than it helped. Suspended students’ grades were docked two percentage points for each day of suspension, and the students were often left unsupervised at home with nothing to do, making them more prone to get in trouble. What’s more, out-of-school suspensions were having a disproportionate impact on students of color. While African American students were only 21 percent of the student population in Hillsborough County, they accounted for over 40 percent of out-of-school suspensions.
Rev. Aaron Hobley signs the Covenant of HOPE, recommitting his congregation to continue working for justice with the organization
When a community group, Hillsborough Organization for Progress and Equality, or HOPE, realized the severity of the problem, they decided to do something about this ineffective system, which they believed focused too much on punishing students and not enough on helping them develop the skills to succeed in the long-term. At first, the 20 racially and ethnically diverse congregations that make up HOPE considered hosting suspended students at churches during the day so that they would not be left unsupervised. But they soon realized that more structural change was needed. “It was a good lesson for our leaders between charity and justice,” recalled Rev. Sharon Streater, the lead organizer for HOPE.
Due to the efforts of HOPE’s committed members, the school district agreed to establish the district-wide Alternative to Out-of-School Suspension program (ATOSS) in 1999. Under this program, suspended students attend a supervised site where they work on their schoolwork and can maintain their grades. Each site has a teacher and usually a counselor to help them address the problem that may have led to their suspension and acquire skills to handle conflict differently.
During the 2007-2008 school year, the ATOSS program allowed over 17,000 suspensions to be addressed through increased attention to suspended students’ needs instead of simple retribution. Community members believe the program leads to less street crime and more prepared, educated students. Many suspension-prone students now have better prospects for the future. Because of ATOSS, students who the system previously may have “given up” on and whose prospects for academic success could have been permanently damaged by mistakes that led to suspension, have developed new conflict management skills and have even gone on to attend college. HOPE’s ability to “hope” in the students of Hillborough County and its belief in the need for systemic change, were vital to achieving an important and significant change in the system.
HOPE members united for the organization’s 21st annual convention in November 2009
HOPE has received funding from CCHD since 1989. They have also embarked on other community projects that focus on homelessness, dental care, and the institutionalization of after-school programs for low-income children. If the organization’s impressive track record with ATOSS is any indicator, these initiatives will soon meet with success as well.