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Legislators wrestle with school discipline issues

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State lawmakers are setting their sights on a hot button issue in education this year: school discipline.

A string of violent incidents in St. Paul has drawn attention recently to discipline policies both in that district and around the state. And it's highlighted the divide between those that think we're being too soft on students, and those who warn against a reactionary approach.

Two bills at the Legislature reflect these competing views. One is sponsored by Republican Sen. David Brown of Becker, and the other is sponsored by DFLer Sandy Pappas of St. Paul.

Her bill has the backing of what's called the Solutions Not Suspensions coalition, a group working to reduce racial disparities and suspension rates across the state.

Marika Pfefferkorn, who is with Minnesota Education Equity Partnership, co-chairs that group. MPR News host Cathy Wurzer spoke with Brown and Pfefferkorn.