Robert Moreno

Professor Bieber
English 115H
5 November 2015
Exercise 2
Researchers have agreed and found that the school-to-prison pipeline is a real issue
particularly in lower income neighborhoods. The pipeline is caused by a number of policies and
practices that the school systems around the nation have acquired. Many schools no longer
attract students and make students feel unwelcomed and in a sense pushed away because of the
physical looks, the high police presence, the uninterested teachers that dont do their job to the
fullest, and a number of other reasons. The biggest reason many students end up in correction
facilities by the time that they are adults is because of the schools zero tolerance policies. These
policies have students suspended, expelled, or even arrested for the slightest infraction in many
instances. Many of these students are minorities and are either Hispanic or African American.
They are more likely to be affected by the zero tolerance policy for the same infraction as their
white counterpart. These students who end up becoming expelled or suspended have a higher
chance of going to prison. Experts and school officials need to work with the troubled youth and
help keep them in school instead of them putting them right back onto the street.
A counter argument to this is that they have to zero-tolerance policy as well as metal
detectors, drug dogs, and police officers to help deter those students who arent attending school
for an education and make the environment hostile and hazardous to those who are. Both
students and parents of those who value an education want these students out of the school, and
this is why these policies and practices are in place.

I think that researchers and experts are right with their approach to helping those who are
troubled instead of putting them back onto the streets. Improving the overall feeling, vibe, and
visuals of the school can change the way that people perceive the school and their attitude
towards it along with their peers and one another. If the problem was fixed this way which
research has proven is possible, then there wont be a need for the zero tolerance policy nor a
need for the prison like feeling of what should be warm and welcoming. It is also important to
treat all as equals and not have Hispanics or African Americans be persecuted harsher than
Whites for the same infractions. That is unjust and doesnt provide the schools with good images
and gives the students attending another reason to act up. All students should follow the same
guidelines and have the same policies apply for them. Schools have to be able to work with their
troubled students and not punish them automatically which may deter them from the school or an
education in general. Once the students are suspended or expelled, especially as minorities in
lower income neighborhoods, they have a higher chance of being incarcerated as young adults.
To stop this, schools have to be behind their students, trust them, support them, and motivate
them.
I believe that scholars would continue to add onto my claim but for the most part would
agree with it. My claim agrees with others scholars and is backed up by statistics and facts. My
argument and claim may not be complete and include every aspect, and the scholars would be
able to complete and finish up my claims. They are similar however and are both looking to
better out youth and end the school-to-prison pipeline that keeps our prisons full and
overcrowded. Ending a problem as such would benefit the youth, their families, and the economy
in many ways. Not as much money would be going to corrections facilities and more youths
would graduate high school without dropping out and have dreams and aspirations of going to

college and getting a job. Experts would agree with this argument and back it up with more
statistics.