ACLU gets $390K grant to help shape school reform

DETROIT (AP) -- The W.K. Kellogg Foundation has awarded the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan a $390,000 grant to help reduce the numbers of students suspended or expelled from schools and referred to criminal courts. The grant is for two years and is part of the ACLU's efforts addressing school policies that lack due process protections for children. A 2009 ACLU report documented a trend where disciplinary policies were pushing students out of school. The Kellogg grant will be used to continue that work. The ACLU also will work with parents, students, teachers and school leaders on disciplinary policies. ACLU of Michigan Executive Director Kary Moss says the grant will "work to reduce the likelihood that these children will end up with a criminal record rather than a high school diploma." Published: Tue, Aug 9, 2011