Criminalizing the School: An Investigation of How Current School Safety and Disciplinary Policies Contribute to the Overrepresentation of Traditionally Marginalized Students within the Criminal Justice System
Clark, Dia
Citations
Abstract
This study focuses on the nature of school discipline policies and their impact on student sentiments about how they are viewed by school staff. The study follows the research to illustrate a connection between unremitting surveillance and discipline and corresponding higher levels of violence, drop-out rates, and student, as well as teacher, dissatisfaction. The study concludes that while violence must be met with consequences, too often the perception of potential student violence or criminal behaviors is influenced by racial bias. I contend that hostile school environments in which trust is lacking between school staff and students develops poor student self-perceptions and cause over-active disciplinary measures which can increase the presence of students from traditionally marginalized groups in the criminal justice system.