Washington state school district will encourage teachers to consider students’ race when dishing out punishments: Critics say new policy will result in harsher punishments for white students

• • Clover Park School District passed the new policy at its March 14 meeting
  • So-called ‘culturally responsive discipline’ factors in a student’s race
  • Supporters say it is a way to reduce racial disparities in disciplinary measures
  • Critics believe it will result in harsher or lighter punishment based on race
  • Two board members opposed the measure but it passed the five-member panel
  • District vehemently denies that race will be a determining factor in discipline