Related Link: Recent Accomplishments

BREAKING SCHOOLS TO PRISONS PIPELINE:
Best Practices to Keep Kids in School

This project aims to minimize the percentage of disciplined students who become entangled in the juvenile justice system. Our approach includes documenting the schools-to-prison pipeline in Connecticut, researching its causes and finding ways to mitigate the tendency of students to progress from school into the juvenile justice system. We expect the data and recommendations generated from the research to support state and local advocacy efforts going forward.

Getting the Facts

Thus far there has been insufficient research in Connecticut that focuses on what causes the school-to-prison-pipeline and what policies can help reduce or eliminate a student's progression from school into the juvenile justice system. Determining the root causes of the schools-to-prison pipeline includes analyzing the structure of both school-specific and district-specific policies, practices, and philosophies that tend to create such a tendency within some schools. We will use model schools to illustrate the structural differences between different schools and districts that lessen reliance on suspension and expulsion to discipline students effectively. We want to explore in particular school and district efforts to provide an alternative disciplinary route for students that have proven to be successful.

Report to be Issued in Late 2009 or Early 2010

After analyzing the results of interviews from a statewide sample of 20 school districts, we will develop and distribute a final report with our findings. Our report will serve as the basis for an advocacy platform about model school policies and best practices within school districts that should be considered for statewide implementation, as well as the basis for related legislative advocacy.