Norton to Introduce Bill to Create Implicit Bias Training Program for School Personnel to Reduce Disparities Based on Race, Sex and Disability

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today announced she will introduce a bill to create a $25 million grant program for schools to train teachers, principals and other school personnel on implicit bias, including with respect to race, sex and disability. The bill aims to reduce the effect of implicit bias on school discipline, academic achievement and academic attainment. Norton's bill comes as the Department of Education's Civil Rights Data Collection for the 2015-2016 school year, released yesterday, found that students of color, males and those with disabilities received far more severe and frequent punishment than white, female and non-disabled students.

"As we have seen in recent high-profile cases, people of color, males and those with disabilities in our country continue to experience the negative effects of implicit bias and even outright discrimination, and perhaps most troubling, we see it in our schools in the form of the student achievement gap and disproportionate discipline rates," Norton said. "Yet, ironically, as the Department of Education report is published showing considerably harsher discipline for minorities, males and students with disabilities, the Trump administration and Education Secretary Betsy Devos are considering eliminating the Obama administration's guidance seeking to curb suspensions and expulsions. Education in America must be the great equalizer. Instead, students of color, males and students with disabilities face far greater expulsion and suspension rates, fueling the school-to-prison pipeline and widening the student achievement gap. Providing teachers and school officials with training could help close the achievement gap and reduce school suspensions and expulsions by finding alternative ways to address student behavior."