End Zero-Tolerance Policies in Schools

The Issue

Zero tolerance policies impact marginalized students more. Contribute to the school, to prison pipeline issue while restorative practices provide a more effective solution, through promoting accountability and open communication(Castillo, 2014; Skiba et al., 2011). 
Lets rally, for school districts to swap out zero tolerance rules with effective approaches, like restorative justice programs incorporating peer mediation circles and teacher education initiatives. (National Center for Restorative Justice, 2020).
Lets get rid of or decrease the number of School Resource Officers (SROs). 

SROs can lead offenses towards criminalization and worsen the school, to prison cycle for students of color; redirecting funds, towards counselors and social workers is an alternative(Piper et al., 2020; Skiba et al., 2011). 
Lets advocate for our community schools funds directing them towards enhancing health resources and providing education, on justice practices instead of SROs. (Vermont Reparative Boards, 2019).
Introduce Restorative Justice Techniques, in Educational Institutions

Restorative practices are effective because they decrease suspensions and enhance the atmosphere in schools while also tackling disparities, in disciplinary measures, within the educational system(National Center for Restorative Justice, 2020). 
Lets urge our school district or state government to embrace justice measures and allocate resources, for staff training while ensuring fair implementation oversight for all. 
"Implement Anti Bias Training Programs, in Educational Institutions"

Implicit prejudices result in marginalized students receiving punishments in schools; Educators can mitigate these biases by undergoing anti bias training to promote fairness, in educational settings(Skiba et al., 2011). 
Lets push for training, on bias and fairness, for educators and school staff. 
Prohibit the use of measures, for rule violations

Suspension and expulsion have an impact, on marginalized students. May not effectively enhance behavior or school safety whereas restorative practices focus on addressing the underlying causes of behavior in a positive manner. (Castillo, 2014)

References

Castillo, J. (2014). The unintended consequences of zero-tolerance policies. Journal of School Violence, 13(2), 100–120.
National Center for Restorative Justice. (2020). Case studies on restorative conferences and peer mediation. Retrieved from https://nacrj.org
Piper, et al. (2020). Juvenile Justice & Schools. Cognella, Inc.
Skiba, R. J., et al. (2011). The color of discipline: Sources of racial and gender disproportionality in school punishment. Urban Review, 34(4), 317–342.
Vermont Reparative Boards. (2019). Community-based restorative practices in juvenile justice. Retrieved from https://vermontjustice.org

 

13

The Issue

Zero tolerance policies impact marginalized students more. Contribute to the school, to prison pipeline issue while restorative practices provide a more effective solution, through promoting accountability and open communication(Castillo, 2014; Skiba et al., 2011). 
Lets rally, for school districts to swap out zero tolerance rules with effective approaches, like restorative justice programs incorporating peer mediation circles and teacher education initiatives. (National Center for Restorative Justice, 2020).
Lets get rid of or decrease the number of School Resource Officers (SROs). 

SROs can lead offenses towards criminalization and worsen the school, to prison cycle for students of color; redirecting funds, towards counselors and social workers is an alternative(Piper et al., 2020; Skiba et al., 2011). 
Lets advocate for our community schools funds directing them towards enhancing health resources and providing education, on justice practices instead of SROs. (Vermont Reparative Boards, 2019).
Introduce Restorative Justice Techniques, in Educational Institutions

Restorative practices are effective because they decrease suspensions and enhance the atmosphere in schools while also tackling disparities, in disciplinary measures, within the educational system(National Center for Restorative Justice, 2020). 
Lets urge our school district or state government to embrace justice measures and allocate resources, for staff training while ensuring fair implementation oversight for all. 
"Implement Anti Bias Training Programs, in Educational Institutions"

Implicit prejudices result in marginalized students receiving punishments in schools; Educators can mitigate these biases by undergoing anti bias training to promote fairness, in educational settings(Skiba et al., 2011). 
Lets push for training, on bias and fairness, for educators and school staff. 
Prohibit the use of measures, for rule violations

Suspension and expulsion have an impact, on marginalized students. May not effectively enhance behavior or school safety whereas restorative practices focus on addressing the underlying causes of behavior in a positive manner. (Castillo, 2014)

References

Castillo, J. (2014). The unintended consequences of zero-tolerance policies. Journal of School Violence, 13(2), 100–120.
National Center for Restorative Justice. (2020). Case studies on restorative conferences and peer mediation. Retrieved from https://nacrj.org
Piper, et al. (2020). Juvenile Justice & Schools. Cognella, Inc.
Skiba, R. J., et al. (2011). The color of discipline: Sources of racial and gender disproportionality in school punishment. Urban Review, 34(4), 317–342.
Vermont Reparative Boards. (2019). Community-based restorative practices in juvenile justice. Retrieved from https://vermontjustice.org

 

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Petition created on November 26, 2024