The readings and discussion on the differences between schools and prisons has again challenged my understanding of the purpose and function of schools. The Real School Safety Problem by Aron Kupchik, Kiera Wilmot's "School-to-Prison Pipeline" TedTalk, and the Spencer Foundation YouTube video on How out-of-school suspension impacts your future all shed light on how schools can become sites of punishment and incarceration, rather than education and growth.
In The Real School Safety Problem, Kupchik argues that the emphasis on school safety has led to increased surveillance and policing of students, which can lead to a prison-like atmosphere in schools. This shift towards punitive measures has resulted in the criminalization of minor offenses such as tardiness, dress code violations, and talking back, which can result in suspensions, expulsions, and even arrests due to zero-tolerance policies. As a result, students are being pushed out of schools and into the juvenile
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Wilmot shares her own experience of being arrested and expelled from school, and charged with felonies for a science experiment gone wrong, illustrating how zero-tolerance policies and punitive measures can have devastating consequences for students. Although no one was hurt, Wilmot was charged with two felonies and faced expulsion from school. What was particularly concerning about Wilmot's case is that neither her teacher, school, nor district supported her during this ordeal. This lack of support and understanding from those who were supposed to protect her and help her learn from her mistakes is a clear example of how schools can contribute to the school-to-prison pipeline. She argues that schools should prioritize education over punishment, provide more opportunities for restorative justice, and foster positive relationships between students and