School Discipline: Dismantle the Pre-K to Prison Pipeline
Effective school discipline, positive school climate, and eliminating racial bias and critical factors in ensuring quality and excellence for students.
Suspensions and expulsions often disengage and disconnect students from school, feed students into juvenile system and criminalize children at increasingly younger ages: instigating a Cradle to Prison Pipeline. Harsh and punititive policies, including zero tolerance and the overuse of suspension and expulsion, can devastate the lives of children. We are committed to educational equity and reform to ensure the highest quality education for all students.
AASA works with school system leaders to examine racial disproportionality, bias, and the potentially harmful effects of school discipline, especially on students of color.
“As superintendents and principals work to improve school climate and enhance the learning environment for students, addressing school discipline policies and practices are critical levers for meaningful change,” - AASA Executive Director Dan Domenech.
Case Studies: Discipline Reform for Equity:
These case studies highlight school districts that were part of leading the charge to improve discipline policy and practice, reduce racial disproportionality, and improve school climate.
Resources