Advocating for Safer, More Equitable Schools
- admin50981
- Jul 31
- 1 min read
On May 6th, our President & CEO, Marlies Spanjaard, testified in support of An Act Relative to Safer Schools (HD.4297 / S.387), legislation aimed at ensuring safety in schools through transparency, oversight, and equitable alternatives to police presence. The bill promotes clear distinctions between disciplinary and criminal matters, requires de-escalation and anti-bias training for School Resource Officers (SROs), mandates public reporting of student-police interactions, and creates grant programs for non-police safety models. Marlies lifted up the voices of our most vulnerable students—especially those with disabilities and youth of color—underscoring the need for school environments that support, not criminalize, our children. You can read her full testimony HERE:
On June 17th, EdLaw Project attorney Kayla Pulliam testified in support of H.650, An Act Relative to Affirming and Maintaining Equal Access to Public Education for All Children (Rep. Moran). Drawing from her work at the intersection of education and juvenile justice, Kayla shared the story of Maya, a student with disabilities who was arrested for a minor infraction due to a misunderstanding of her IEP. Her testimony emphasized the urgent need for policies that prevent criminalization of students with disabilities and uphold their rights to a supportive education. This bill helps ensure that all children—especially those most vulnerable—can access school without fear of exclusion or court involvement.
You can read her full testimony HERE:
