Social Action: School to Prison Pipeline
The school-to-prison pipeline refers to the phenomenon through which some students are pushed out of elementary and secondary school—and into the juvenile or criminal justice system—through policy decisions, including the increased presence of police in schools and insufficient investment in education, social services, and mental health.
Data has proven that children of color are more likely to receive harsher disciplinary actions for the same infractions than their white counterparts. These same students are referred to law enforcement for minor infractions more often, creating a negative experience with law enforcement at a early age. Student suspensions and expulsions lead to a greater likelihood of drop out, which in turn leads to a greater chance of interacting with the juvenile justice system.
After several high profile incidents and reports from the East Valley NAACP, Black Mother's Forum, and ACLU of Arizona, the Tempe Alumnae Chapter prioritized the SCHOOL TO PRISON PIPELINE as our primary advocacy issue. Over the past three years, we have been working with local partners, including school district officials, to identify and address these issues in the East Valley.
This page serves as a resources for parents and advocates that want to give voice to our children and protect their rights in the classroom.
East Valley School Boards
East Valley School Boards
East Valley School Boards
Get to know your elected school board members and the issues they govern in your child's education. Our goal is to have every parent attend at least two meetings a year.
Pushout Documentary
East Valley School Boards
East Valley School Boards
The documentary film, PUSHOUT: The Criminalization of Black Girls in Schools, encourages a robust conversation about how to reduce the criminalization of Black girls in our nation's learning environments.
Demand to Learn
Education Town Halls
Education Town Halls
Our partners at ACLU of Arizona have analyzed the data and you can see the demographic report of your school's disciplinary actions.
Education Town Halls
Education Town Halls
Education Town Halls
In response to local incidents and the ESSA report cards, Tempe Alumnae Chapter initiated a series of town halls on education. Follow us on social media to attend our next event.
THERE IS POWER IN YOUR VOICE!
East Valley School Boards
Parent engagement is the best advocacy for any child. We are encouraging parents and advocates to attend at least two meetings and/or study sessions a year and get to know your school board members. Many of the meetings are lived streamed and recorded so you can keep up with them even when you can't make it physically.