Introduction
The school-to-prison pipeline is a complex issue that affects millions of students across the United States. My research on the topic has revealed that students from marginalized and low-income communities are disproportionately impacted by punitive school discipline policies and practices, as well as the over-policing of schools. The consequences of this pipeline are far-reaching and damaging, perpetuating cycles of poverty, trauma, and systemic oppression.
What is the school-to-prison pipeline?
The school-to-prison pipeline is a term used to describe the action of students, particularly low-income and minority students, being funneled out of school and into the criminal justice system. This disturbing trend is due to harsh
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According to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), students of color are more likely to be suspended or expelled from school than their white peers and are more likely to be referred to law enforcement for school-based offenses (ACLU, 2021). Students with disabilities are also disproportionately affected by this pipeline, according to the National Disability Rights Network (NDRN), students with disabilities are more likely to experience exclusionary discipline practices than their non-disabled peers (NDRN, 2021). It is evident that the school-to-prison pipeline is an issue of inequality. It contributes to systemic oppression and discrimination in schools. School should be a safe place where students feel welcome and respected, not a place of inequality and …show more content…
After conducting research, I believe one of the primary causes of the school-to-prison pipeline is zero-tolerance policies in schools. Zero-tolerance policies mandate strict punishments, such as suspension or expulsion, for a wide range of misbehavior, including minor offenses like tardiness or dress code violations (Skiba, 2014). These policies disproportionately affect students of color and those with disabilities, leading to their increased likelihood of being suspended, expelled, or referred to the criminal justice system (Losen & Skiba, 2010). Zero tolerance policies are damaging, as they mandate severe consequences for any type of violation no matter how major or minor. These policies take away certain freedoms from students and create toxic school