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Disrupting the School-to-Prison Pipeline: A Call to Action

Kelly Blair

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Published in Disrupting The School To Prison Pipeline (HER Reprint Series)

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The school-to-prison pipeline is a major issue in the United States, with devastating consequences for students, families, and communities. This article explores the causes and effects of the school-to-prison pipeline, and offers solutions to disrupt this harmful system.

Disrupting the School-to-Prison Pipeline (HER Reprint Series)

by Susan Vreeland

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Language	:	English
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Print length	:	288 pages

What is the School-to-Prison Pipeline?

The school-to-prison pipeline is a system of policies and practices that push students out of school and into the juvenile justice system. This pipeline begins in early childhood, when children are often suspended or expelled from preschool for minor offenses. These suspensions and expulsions can lead to a cycle of academic failure, which can make students more likely to drop out of school and get involved in the juvenile justice system.

The school-to-prison pipeline is also fueled by a number of other factors, including:

Poverty: Children who live in poverty are more likely to attend schools with high suspension rates. They are also more likely to be exposed to violence and other risk factors that can lead to school failure.
Race: Black and Latino students are disproportionately represented in the school-to-prison pipeline. This is due to a number of factors, including systemic racism in the education system and the over-policing of communities of color.
Disability: Students with disabilities are also more likely to be suspended or expelled from school. This is often due to a lack of understanding of their needs and a lack of resources to support them in the classroom.

The Consequences of the School-to-Prison Pipeline

The school-to-prison pipeline has a number of devastating consequences for students, families, and communities. These consequences include:

Academic failure: Students who are suspended or expelled from school are more likely to drop out of school. This can have a significant impact on their future opportunities, as a high school diploma is necessary for most jobs.
Juvenile delinquency: Students who are suspended or expelled from school are more likely to get involved in the juvenile justice system. This can lead to a cycle of crime and violence.
Incarceration: Students who are arrested and convicted of a crime are more likely to be incarcerated as adults. This can have a devastating impact on their lives and the lives of their families.
Community violence: The school-to-prison pipeline contributes to community violence by creating a cycle of poverty, crime, and incarceration. This can make it difficult for communities to thrive.

Solutions to Disrupt the School-to-Prison Pipeline

There are a number of solutions that can be implemented to disrupt the school-to-prison pipeline. These solutions include:

Investing in early childhood education: Investing in early childhood education can help to prevent children from falling behind in school and getting involved in the juvenile justice system.
Reducing suspensions and expulsions: Schools should reduce the use of suspensions and expulsions, and instead use more positive discipline techniques.
Addressing the needs of students with disabilities: Schools should provide students with disabilities with the support they need to succeed in the classroom.
Ending the over-policing of schools: Schools should end the practice of over-policing, which can lead to the criminalization of students.
Reforming the juvenile justice system: The juvenile justice system should be reformed to focus on rehabilitation rather than punishment.

The school-to-prison pipeline is a major issue in the United States that has a devastating impact on students, families, and communities. However, there are a number of solutions that can be implemented to disrupt this harmful system. By working together, we can create a more just and equitable education system for all students.

To learn more about the school-to-prison pipeline, please visit the following resources: