ACLU Of Texas Youth Lege Team Making Office Visits To Lawmakers

April 29, 2011 11:27 am

Three area high school students are culminating almost a year of training this week, making Capitol office visits to state lawmakers as the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Texas Youth Lege Team.

To schedule an interview or get photos of the ACLU of Texas Youth Lege Team, please contact: Dotty Griffith, Public Education Director; (512) 600-8421 or (512) 923-1909; [email protected]

The Youth Lege Team has concentrated on the ACLU of Texas’ “educate don’t incarcerate” campaign, aimed at decriminalizing school discipline. The issue is also commonly known as “school-to-prison-pipeline.”

ACLU of Texas Youth Lege Team includes:

  • Solveij Praxis, a junior at West Lake High School. Solveij (soll-vay) researched and wrote a fact sheet on HB622, known as the “serious or persistent” bill which deals with a change in language that will help to ensure that Texas students do not face expulsion from disciplinary alternative education programs for trivial misbehavior. Solveij also testified in support of the bill.

  • Ian McCurly, also a junior at West Lake HS. Ian researched and wrote a fact sheet and delivered testimony on SB1489, a bill which removes criminal penalties for truancy. Ian has also visited with legislative staff concerning HB 1340, a bill which creates guidance for schools looking to implement positive behavioral interventions and supports (PBIS) in Texas. PBIS is an evidenced-based approach used by schools to improve student behavior and to create a positive learning environment.

  • Destinnie Mata, a freshman at Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders in Austin. She has written fact sheets about the need to ensure transparency and accountability in the K-12 curriculum review process, as well as to ensure that qualified experts are included in the process. In addition, Destinnie visited with legislative staff in support of HB 1340, a bill which creates guidance for schools looking to implement positive behavioral interventions and supports in Texas.

“We are so proud of the dedication and commitment these students have shown,” said ACLU of Texas Executive Director Terri Burke. “Their hard work has paid off in solid understanding of the issues. We are counting on them to help educate legislators about the consequences of criminalizing discipline for minor school offenses and wholesale issuance of misdemeanor tickets: higher drop-out rates.”