My son Jaylen, was involved in an incident where he was forced to defend himself during an altercation at school. Jaylen, cornered and bullied in class, had no escape route and no effective intervention from the staff present. Despite his attempts to de-escalate the situation verbally and seek help through eye contact with staff members, he was charged with assault once the confrontation turned physical. This all occurred under the watchful eyes of two staff members, one of whom remained seated during the attack.

This incident highlights a broader, troubling issue facing our community in Katy, Texas: the disproportionate assignment of students of color, particularly Black and Hispanic students, and students  to Disciplinary Alternative Education Programs (DAEPs). These alternative programs often lack the academic and emotional support students need, further marginalizing and disadvantaging them compared to their peers in the general student population.

Statistical data echoes this troubling pattern. According to the Texas Education Agency, students of color are significantly overrepresented in DAEPs across the state. This inequity not only damages these students' academic prospects but also perpetuates a cycle of unfair disciplinary action and academic disparity.

We call upon school administrators in Katy, TX, to re-evaluate their disciplinary policies and practices with an emphasis on fairness and equality. Alternatives to DAEP placement should be explored when addressing self defense claims to reduce undue DEAP placements and keep innocent students in a mainstream educational environment.

Moreover, staff training on cultural competence and intervention strategies is essential to prevent these incidents and to ensure that all students are treated equitably. Transparent communication with parents and the community on these matters is crucial in building trust and collaboration.

Demand for systemic change is urgent to prevent further injustices against vulnerable student groups. We invite the OUR community to stand with us and advocate for policy and procedural changes that reflect the fair treatment all students deserve. Sign this petition to drive impactful changes for our children’s educational environment in Paetow High School and everywhere else as it applies.