CHAPEL HILL, N.C.— A new report released by the American Civil Liberties Union of North Carolina expressed concern about insufficient mental health providers in North Carolina public schools.
The report highlights state data that reflects racial disparities regarding school-based complaints for disorderly conduct. This includes schools involving law enforcement for misconduct from Black students over two times more often than white students.
“More complaints are filed on Black students and students with disabilities compared to white students and students without disabilities,” Michele Delgado, ACLU staff attorney said.
The ACLU said it found the presence of school resource officers harms Black students and students with disabilities more than others.
The report pushes recommendations to support the well-being of all students in North Carolina. This includes prioritizing funding for school-based mental health providers rather than increasing police presence in schools.
The ACLU encourages the state to decrease punishment for insubordination and to remove its disorderly conduct statute.