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For decades, schools increased police presence and zero-tolerance punishment in the name of safety. These solutions have not stopped mass violence in our schools. Instead, they've contributed to the school-to-prison pipeline.

The school-to-prison pipeline describes how Black and brown students are pushed out of schools. Through suspensions and expulsions, their chances of coming into contact with the criminal punishment system increase as they miss school. Arrest by school resource officers creates a direct line into that system.

This video from Vox provides a great explanation:

(Content warning: video clips of police violence at 00:1:00 to 00:1:12)

After watching the Vox video with students, explore your school's discipline policy together:

• What are listed as offenses and what are the punishments?
• Do the punishments seem harsh or fair to you?

LGBTQ students are at increased risk of experiencing the school-to-prison pipeline. More recently, school bathroom policies have led to suspensions for transgender students (See OU Daily, CNN). A 2013 GLSEN report found that:

• Victimized students face discipline for truancy after missing school because of a hostile school climate
• LGBTQ students have been disciplined for their clothing, public displays of affection, and defending themselves against assault
• Of the LGBTQ students surveyed, Black LGBTQ students reported the highest rate of discipline

After considering the experiences of Black and brown students and LGBTQ students, discuss:

• What have you experienced or observed in your school that remind you of the school-to-prison pipeline?
• Does your school offer alternative forms of accountability that don't rely on punishments? If not, what could that look like in your school? Do you think it would be effective?
• How safe do you feel in your school?
• How would you change your school's policy to promote safety?

Vermont has strong protections for trans students, which we applaud. A school district in the state fired a high school coach and suspended a student after they misgendered a trans student and expressed discomfort with the student's locker room use. The coach and student are suing. Now, the "rightness" or "wrongness" of the suspension, firing, and their opinions are being decided by the legal system. Will any learning or understanding among the involved parties happen now?

Read more (content warning: transphobic statements, misgendering) about the situation and discuss initial reactions. Then watch this brief video describing the restorative justice process:

Discuss with students:

• When thinking about using a restorative approach with a transphobic classmate, what kind of emotions are brought up for you? Why?
  
• Empathy is the ability to understand things from another person's point of view. How would you apply empathy to the suspended student's perspective without condoning that perspective?
  
• Before the lawsuit, the suspended student was required to participate in a restorative circle. If you were in that circle, what would you say to the student to help them understand why their actions cause harm?

Follow our Instagram and Twitter for more resources and discussion ideas:

Ever had a parent or teacher tell you what to do and the reason was "Because I said so"? There's a word for this kind of treatment; it's adultism!

#Intersectionality helps us recognize that LGBTQ youth experience harms that are a result of BOTH homophobia/transphobia and adultism.

@gsrays had an amazing 2022! The results of their work to add a gender neutral title to their prom court even made the news. GSAs really do make the world a better place.

Take some deep breaths as you watch these coconut dogs chill in a steamy bath and remind yourself, “I’m going to be okay.” Remember, Youth in Motion is rooting for you! ❤️

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