Discrimination & Bullying in Our Schools

Junior Commission on Human Rights Releases Results of Youth Survey on Racial Discrimination & Harassment in Sonoma County High Schools

Published: February 02, 2018

Background on the Project
A. In February of 2016, the Racial Justice and Equality Ad Hoc Committee of the Sonoma County Junior Commission on Human Rights (SCJCHR) distributed a peer-to-peer survey to Sonoma County high schools to determine the state of racial discrimination and harassment experienced and/or witnessed by students. The optional surveys were emailed to schools and completed anonymously by students online. Junior Commission members then examined the data and compiled it into this report to be reviewed and considered by Sonoma County schools. This review includes quantitative data to dtermine the extend of racial discrimination and harassment as well as quotes and anecdotes form students outlining the racial discrimination they have faced at school.

We, the SCJCHR Ad Hoc Committee for Racial Justice and Equality, seek to assist Sonoma County schools in identifying issues of racial discrimination in schools, address those issues in a responsible and inclusive manner, and assist in creating a safe, non-discriminatory learning environment for all students regardless of race or ethnicity. The SCJCHR has provided several recommendations for administrations to consider in order to improve the racial climate at their respective schools. These recommendations are intended for school districts as they reivew their existing discrimination policies and complaint protocols, develop Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) budget proprosals to include proactive measures for diversity competence and improvement of school climate, and consider policy changes to address issues that affect the academic performance, mental and physical health of students within Sonoma County.
Overview of Important