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Council renews funding for Common Ground conflict-resolution program; city reports declines in fights and suspensions
Summary
The council approved continued funding for the Penny Foundation to administer Common Ground conflict-resolution programming in Birmingham schools; city staff reported declines in fights, suspensions and disciplinary actions among participating students.
The Birmingham City Council approved a continuation of funding for the Penny Foundation to run Common Ground, a school-based conflict-resolution program that the city said uses culturally responsive curricula (HEAT, SPEAKS, EXCEL) and community coaches.
Presiding Judge Andre Sparks, who oversees the initiative for the city, told the council program metrics from pilot and expansion years showed sharp declines in disciplinary incidents among participants. Sparks said in one semester "fights went down 88%, suspensions went down 86%, [and] disciplinary actions with the students in the program went down 76%." Later data for a broader cohort showed continued reductions in fights, suspensions and absences.
Sparks said the program has grown to reach students in elementary, middle and high schools (36 schools cited) with about 1,100 students currently enrolled and roughly 140 trained coaches. The program now includes a parent component called Roots and Wings to reinforce lessons at home.
Council members praised the program as a life-skills curriculum and noted Birmingham City Schools has appropriated $250,000 to support Common Ground.
Ending: City staff said the program will continue to expand with school-system partnership and that funds will be used primarily for coach stipends and program fidelity.
