Children are far more likely to be arrested at school than they were a generation ago.
The vast majority of these arrests are for nonviolent offenses such as "disruptive conduct" or "disturbance of the peace. Five year olds are being led out of classrooms in handcuffs for acting out or throwing temper tantrums. Students have been arrested for throwing an eraser at a teacher, breaking a pencil, and having rap lyrics in a locker. These children do not belong in jail.
The "School To Prison Pipeline" (STPP) refers to a disturbing national trend in which students are funneled out of public schools and into the juvenile and criminal justice systems. Most of these kids are children of color, and many have learning disabilities or histories of poverty, abuse or neglect, and would benefit from additional educational and counseling services. Instead they are punished and isolated.
Why is this happening? "Zero-tolerance" polices criminalize minor infractions of school rules and high-stakes testing programs encourage educators to push out low-performing students to improve their schools'overall test scores. Students of color are especially vulnerable to the discriminatory application of discipline and push-out trends.
Statewide STPP Symposium Series
Through a series of five regional forums, based upon Congressional Districts, a strategic plan for statewide action to dismantle the School To Prison Pipeline (STPP) will be developed. Stories obtained through this symposium from stakeholders; students, parents, education community, legal community, elected representatives, civic community, and faith community groups will form the foundation of the plan that will improve the educational environment for Georgia's students. The statewide plan will include community-based solutions as well as proven local and national strategies for change.
Georgia has taken important steps to change the climate in our public schools. More work is needed and will require students, parent, community members and organizations coming together for a better Georgia! We need to hear from you. Share the successes and challenges of your child and your school system. Join us at the regional STPP forum for your Congressional District.
Regional Metro Atlanta STPP Forum Congressional Districts 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13
The STPP forum seeks to engage stakeholders by:
Increasing public awareness of the School to Prison Pipeline (STPP). Providing prevention/intervention measures that divert children from the STPP and steer them towards gaining an education. Equip parents and community to help children enmeshed in the STPP. Ensuring Accountability for Elected Officials through Engagement
Forum Agenda Highlights
� Opening Speaker - Sharon N. Hill, Executive Director of Georgia Appleseed � Specific Local Community Demographics/Statistics � How to Navigate the School System � How to be Your Child's Advocate � Organizing Your Community � Tell Us Your Story - An Education Story Collection Project � National Week of Action on School Pushout Local Event
Forum Registration Space is Limited!!!
If you cannot attend a local forum, but would like to share your story, send an email to [email protected]. |