‘Dismantling the School to Prison Pipeline’ workshop coming in March

Courtesy of the Youth Alliance:

The San Benito County Office of Education, in partnership with the Youth Alliance, invite the community to the Dismantling the School to Prison Pipeline workshop on March 20.

Tia Martinez, Principal at Forward Change Consulting, will present the historical and current landscape of what is nationally known as the “School to Prison Pipeline.”

The School to Prison Pipeline is a descriptor for the fact that students who have been suspended have far higher dropout rates and are significantly more likely to become involved in the juvenile justice system than their peers. Data at the state and national levels show that these outcomes disproportionately affect youth of color and youth with disabilities.

In an effort to scale up the systems, structures, and policies that build safe, holistic, and healing schools for all students, participants will review the statewide school discipline trends and discuss best practices in the creation of a continuum of positive supports for their school and community. Participants will have the opportunity to work in school district or community teams to problem solve and create an action plan to support all students.

Local school district or community teams are encouraged to attend, including teachers, counselors, behavioral health professionals, law enforcement, administrators, parents, and young adults. We will work to identify areas for improvement and partnerships needed to support the educational success of all. To register for this workshop, go to https://sanbenito.k12oms.org/ and use the calendar function to find the workshop link.

San Benito County Office of Education

The San Benito County Office of Education is committed to supporting educational systems in which all students have the opportunity to thrive and learn. As part of this commitment, the SBCOE launched the implementation of Restorative Justice in its alternative education sites in partnership with the community-based organization, Youth Alliance.

Youth Alliance

Youth Alliance (YA) is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit serving youth and their families in San Benito and South Santa Clara counties, that strives to create thriving and equitable communities through comprehensive, innovative and culturally relevant services that support youth and families to become change agents in their own lives and in their community.

Some research:

“There is little evidence that suspension and expulsion benefit students or their communities. Psychologists have found that disciplinary exclusion policies can increase “student shame, alienation, rejection, and breaking of healthy adult bonds,” thereby exacerbating negative mental health outcomes for young people. There is little evidence that suspension and expulsion benefit students or their communities. Psychologists have found that disciplinary exclusion policies can increase “student shame, alienation, rejection, and breaking of healthy adult bonds,” thereby exacerbating negative mental health outcomes for young people.

Behavioral problems among school-age youth are associated with high rates of depression, drug addiction, and home-life stresses. For students with these mental health concerns, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has found that suspension can increase stress and may predispose them to antisocial behavior and even suicidal ideation.”

If you would like more information about this topic, please call Monica Barragan at 831.637.5393 x 126 or at [email protected].