Preventing fights in Oakland schools

"The Oakland Unified School District disbanded its police force five years ago. Since then, school leaders have been reshaping how they create safe environments for students and staff. One of these programs, paid for by the city, places violence interrupters on high school campuses where they can forge trust with students and help to deescalate and mediate tense situations that could turn into fights."

"Carla Ashford with the Oakland nonprofit Youth Alive works as a violence interrupter at Skyline High School. Her time on the campus, and the work of other violence interrupters, has coincided with a drop in fights and suspensions. Host Darwin BondGraham talks with schools reporter Ashley McBride about this novel program, Ashford's philosophy of conflict resolution, and why OUSD is worried about funding for violence interruption running out."

OUSD disbanded its police force five years ago. Since then, school leaders have reshaped how they create safe environments for students and staff. A city-funded program places violence interrupters on high school campuses to forge trust with students and deescalate and mediate tense situations that could turn into fights. Carla Ashford works as a violence interrupter at Skyline High School through the Oakland nonprofit Youth Alive. The presence of violence interrupters has coincided with a drop in fights and suspensions. OUSD faces concern that funding for violence interruption may run out. Local headlines noted controversies over the police chief, partisan video screening, community remembrances, awards, budget measures, and WNBA representation.

Read at The Oaklandside