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Kansas City Public Schools Changes Code Of Conduct

By Steve Kraske,

Published July 1, 2021 at 3:20 PM CDT

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You can suspend a kid... but if you never address the root cause, you haven't fixed the problem," says Dr. Mark Bedell on strict punishments for minor infractions.

Kansas City Public Schools is undertaking a substantial shift in the way that it disciplines its students.

Last week, an adjusted code of conduct was approved by the school board with a unanimous vote. This move comes as Black students in Missouri face suspension four times as often as their white peers. The superintendent of KCPS explains why this decision was needed to improve educational and personal outcomes for children in the district.

Dr. Mark Bedell, Kansas City Public Schools superintendent

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Steve Kraske

When I host Up To Date each morning at 9, my aim is to engage the community in conversations about the Kansas City area’s challenges, hopes and opportunities. I try to ask the questions that listeners want answered about the day’s most pressing issues and provide a place for residents to engage directly with newsmakers. Reach me at steve@kcur.org or on Twitter @stevekraske.

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Zach Wilson

As Up To Date’s senior producer, I want to pique the curiosity of Kansas Citians and help them understand the world around them. Each day, I construct conversations with our city’s most innovative visionaries and creatives, while striving to hold elected officials accountable and amplifying the voices of everyday Kansas Citians. Email me at zach@kcur.org.

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Reginald David

As an assistant producer on Up To Date, my goal is to amplify voices of people who serve as pioneers in their respective fields while shedding light on issues that affect underserved communities. I produce daily conversations to uplift and inspire the people of the Kansas City area to make the world a better place. You can reach me at reginalddavid@kcur.org.

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