The school-to-prison pipeline, explained

Summary

The 'school-to-prison pipeline' refers to the systemic issue where schools, particularly in the 90s, implemented zero-tolerance policies leading to increased suspensions and expulsions. This policy inadvertently funneled students, predominantly black students, into the criminal justice system. The presence of police in schools further exacerbated the issue, with schools in areas with a higher black population more likely to have officers and higher arrest rates for minor offenses. Despite similar behavioral rates, black students face harsher punishments, contributing to racial disparities in school discipline and the justice system. Alternative approaches like restorative justice in Oakland have shown promising results in reducing chronic absenteeism and increasing graduation rates.

Takeaways

• 🏫 The 'school-to-prison pipeline' refers to the systemic issue where schools are inadvertently funneling students, particularly black students, into the criminal justice system.
• ⏱️ It originated in the 1990s with zero tolerance policies in response to crime fears, leading to mandatory suspensions and expulsions for certain violations.
• 📚 Schools began to enforce strict rules on minor infractions such as talking back or uniform violations, which contributed to a doubling of out-of-school suspensions since the 1970s.
• 👮‍♂️ The presence of police officers in schools increased by a third between 1997 and 2007, ostensibly for safety but leading to schools outsourcing discipline to the police.
• 🚨 Schools with police officers have five times as many arrests for 'disorderly conduct' compared to schools without them.
• 🔍 The racial disparity in the criminal justice system is exacerbated by schools, with a higher likelihood of having a police officer present if the student population is over 50% black.
• 📉 Despite increased arrests in schools with police, there is no significant difference in court charges for serious offenses like weapons, drugs, or assault.
• 📊 Black students are overrepresented in school arrests and disciplinary actions, with a three times higher suspension or expulsion rate compared to white students.
• 👶 This disparity starts early, with black preschoolers being disproportionately represented in multiple suspensions despite similar rates of behavior issues.
• 📝 Studies indicate that the difference in punishments cannot be fully explained by differences in behavior, with black students more likely to be suspended for subjective reasons.
• 🔄 The federal government is encouraging schools to make suspension and expulsion a last resort to address the issue.
• 🛑 Restorative justice practices, like those in Oakland, California, have shown promising results in reducing chronic absenteeism and increasing graduation rates.

Q & A

What is the term 'school-to-prison pipeline' referring to?

The term 'school-to-prison pipeline' refers to the phenomenon where students, particularly black students, are channeled from schools into the criminal justice system due to disciplinary policies and practices.

When did the concept of the school-to-prison pipeline originate?

The concept of the school-to-prison pipeline originated in the 1990s as a response to fears about crime with the implementation of zero tolerance policies in schools.

What are zero tolerance policies and how do they impact students?

Zero tolerance policies are strict rules that mandate suspensions and expulsions for certain violations, including minor ones like talking back or uniform violations. They have led to an increase in out-of-school suspensions and have disproportionately affected black students.

How have the number of police officers in schools changed since the 1990s?

The number of police officers stationed full-time inside schools has increased by a third between 1997 and 2007, ostensibly to prevent mass school shootings but often leading to schools outsourcing discipline to the police.

What is the impact of having police officers in schools on arrest rates for disorderly conduct?

Schools with police officers have five times as many arrests for disorderly conduct compared to schools without them, indicating a significant increase in the criminalization of student behavior.

Why are schools more likely to have a police officer if their student population is more than 50% black?

The script does not provide a specific reason, but it suggests that this might be due to racial disparities and a tendency to view schools with a higher black population as needing more security, despite no evidence of higher crime rates.

How do arrest rates at schools with police officers compare to those without, in terms of weapons, drugs, alcohol, or assault charges?

According to one study, students at policed schools are more likely to be arrested but are not more likely to be charged in court for weapons, drugs, alcohol, or assault, suggesting that arrests may not always correlate with actual criminal behavior.

What was the racial disparity in school arrests during the 2010-2011 school year in the U.S.?

During the 2010-2011 school year, black students, who made up one in six public school students, accounted for one in three arrests at school, highlighting a significant racial disparity in school discipline.

Why do black students receive more severe punishments compared to white students for similar offenses?

Studies show that black students are more likely to be suspended for subjective reasons like talking back or insubordination, while white students are more likely to be suspended for provable offenses, indicating a disparity in how disciplinary actions are applied.

What are the long-term effects of school suspensions on students?

Students who are suspended in school are more likely to later drop out or get arrested, indicating that school suspensions can have negative long-term consequences on a student's educational and life outcomes.

What is restorative justice and how is it being used in Oakland, California schools?

Restorative justice is an approach where both parties to a conflict talk it out with a counselor instead of relying on punishment. In Oakland, California, public schools have adopted this approach, leading to a decrease in chronic absenteeism and an increase in graduation rates.

What is the federal government's stance on school suspensions and expulsions?

The federal government is urging schools to make suspension and expulsion the absolute last resort, recognizing the negative impact these disciplinary measures can have on students' futures.