“The school-to-prison pipeline disproportionately places students of color, including those who identify as LGBTQ, have disabilities, and/or are English Language Learners, into the criminal justice system for minor school infractions and disciplinary matters, subjecting them to harsher punishments than their white peers for the same behaviors. The school-to-prison pipeline diminishes their educational opportunities and life trajectories. All educators – which includes every school employee – are key to ending the school-to-prison pipeline” (NEA, 2016).

Our panelists speak about the school-to-prison-pipeline and how it negatively impacts our current educational climate. They have studied ways in which institutional racism, unfair discipline policies, and the criminalizing of school behavior contributes to limited access to fair and equitable education for all students. They will also offer strategies for educators, administrators, and community members to use and to end these illegal and immoral practices.