"Portland Teachers' Strike: Addressing Disproportionate Discipline and Turmoil Amidst Union Conflict"

The ongoing teachers strike in the Portland Public School District is not only about wages and class sizes but also about addressing a policy that leads to disproportionately high rates of suspension for Native and Black students compared to their white peers. The policy, outlined in Article 9 of the union contract, sets mandatory minimum suspensions for certain referral types. Education experts argue that this method of discipline is subjective and results in students of color being suspended at much higher rates. Both the district and the teachers' union have proposed changes to Article 9, with an emphasis on restorative justice, but they differ on the specifics. The district's proposal suggests eliminating mandatory minimum suspensions, while the union calls for the creation of intervention spaces and a more rigorous tracking system for referrals. The disproportionate rates of discipline raise concerns about whether students of color are receiving the necessary support in Portland schools.