About This Episode
Season 2. Episode 5.
We hear stories on the news of threats to teachers, mass suspensions, and bullying. Some teachers say that laws just don’t protect them in the class like they used to, so we’re digging deep into the handling of discipline at Inland Empire schools. Where is the problem coming from and who is trying to resolve it? Two experts with rather innovative approaches are finding success and helping to change legislation from here to Capitol Hill. Join us as we explore the discipline in the Inland Empire this week on Education Insight.
Featured Guests
Marlene Bicondova
Director of the Positive Youth Development department for San Bernardino City Unified School District.
Kevin McCarty was elected to the California State Assembly in 2014 to represent the 7th Assembly District, which includes Sacramento, West Sacramento and parts of unincorporated Sacramento County.
McCarty serves as Chair of the Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance, which oversees the largest component of California’s multi-billion dollar budget. As Chair, McCarty made historic investments in public education including expanding access to preschool for low and middle income families, providing greater career technical education programs, and increasing student enrollment at our public colleges and universities.
Other legislative priorities for Assemblymember McCarty include addressing housing affordability, fighting climate change, championing criminal justice reform, curbing gun violence, tackling the opioid crisis and advocating for the middle class.
McCarty began his public service career as a Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Commissioner and served on the Sacramento City Council from 2004 to 2014. As a Councilmember, he created innovative youth programs and wrote common-sense gun laws, tackled sub-standard rental housing, and crafted clean air policies. He created Sacramento’s Little Saigon district, the City’s Whistleblower Hotline program, and the Independent Auditor department.
A lifelong Sacramentan, McCarty went to local public schools, attended American River College, earned a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from CSU Long Beach and a Master’s degree in Public Policy and Administration from CSU Sacramento.
McCarty and his wife live in the Elmhurst neighborhood of Sacramento with their twin daughters.
Like, follow and connect with Assemblymember McCarty on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram: @AsmKevinMcCarty
Khieem Jackson
Founder of Black Men for Educational Equity (BMEE).
Karen Scott is the Executive Director of the Children and Families Commission – First 5 San Bernardino, a funding organization of services for children prenatal through age 5, by investing revenue received from Prop 10, a tobacco tax initiative in California.
Ms. Scott’s education and background is in Public Administration and Administration of Justice and she has worked in the realm of Human Services for San Bernardino County since 1977. Karen has served as Executive Director of First 5 San Bernardino for 14 years leading the organization’s efforts to promote, support and enhance the health and early development of children, prenatal through age five through coordinated and comprehensive systems of care that strengthen children, families and communities, ensuring children are safe, healthy and ready to enter and succeed in school.
Karen is married to James Scott and has 4 adult children and 4 grandchildren.
Interview Highlights
2:51 – Khi shares why he feels discipline is a critical focus for educators and lawmakers right now.
7:17 – Khi explains the new AB 2806 Assembly Bill.
13:17 – Khi goes into detail about what this assembly bill will do and why it matters.
19:00 – Khi reflects on why historically marginalized groups such as Black boys and girls, people with disabilities, etc. are treated differently.
21:44 – Khi explains what Black Men For Educational Equity does for students and families
26:59 – Khi shares the most important thing people need to understand about children displaying bad behavior in school.
29:08 – Marlene describes how disciplinary actions in K-12 schools have changed in recent years.
38:57 – Marlene explains how bullying is affecting San Bernardino schools.
41:12 – Marlene gives insight into how the bullying issue is getting better because of innovative practices.
42:44 – Marlene shares how the pandemic has affected children’s behavior.
44:13 – Marlene discusses the relationship between social media and student conduct.
46:26 – Special Feature: Graduating Class of 2022.
View our podcast page for more stories like this: https://gia.echofactory.dev/gia-podcasts/
Education Insight tells the story of education in the Inland Empire through the diverse voices of those in and around the regional education community. The show is produced by Growing Inland Achievement, a collective impact organization in the Inland Empire with a mission to increase economic prosperity in the region by increasing educational attainment. Hosted by 30-year broadcast veteran Lacey Kendall, monthly shows explore topics ranging from education challenges and shortcomings to innovations and groundbreaking ideas that are driving student success.
