Basic Literacy and School-to-Prison Pipeline

NB: We do not resell your papers. Upon ordering, we do an original paper exclusively for you.

NB: All your data is kept safe from the public.

Basic literacy is essential for students to be able to comprehend the material they are being taught. Therefore, it is the foundation for any students academic success. Without basic literacy skills, students are unable to access the knowledge they need to be successful in school and beyond it. Research indicates that students who are not able to read proficiently by the third grade are at a high risk of dropping out of school and ending up in jail (Thompson, 2022). However, basic literacy alone is not enough to help students escape the school-to-prison pipeline.

The alarming trend of the school-to-prison pipeline disproportionately affects minority students. The video by NBC News (2020) highlights the role of poverty, racism, and zero-tolerance policies in pushing students out of schools and into the criminal justice system. While basic literacy is undoubtedly important for students, it is not the sole factor in stemming the school-to-prison pipeline. The video highlights other factors that contribute to the school-to-prison pipeline, such as poverty and racism. Students from disadvantaged backgrounds are more likely to face discrimination and unequal treatment in school, which can lead to their eventual expulsion or suspension. Poverty can also lead to students not having access to the resources they need to be successful in school, such as textbooks, tutoring, or a stable home environment. Additionally, racism and implicit bias can lead to students of color being disproportionately targeted for disciplinary action or criminalization (Morrell & Morrell, 2021). These factors all contribute to the school-to-prison pipeline, and basic literacy alone is not enough to address them.

To stem the school-to-prison pipeline, a comprehensive approach should be generated that would address the root causes of the issue. This includes providing students with resources to help them succeed, such as access to tutoring, mental health support, and adequate school funding. Mitigating the problem also requires creating a school environment that is equitable and free from discrimination. Finally, there should be an emphasis on restorative justice practices and a shift away from punitive measures.

In conclusion, basic literacy is undoubtedly important for students to be successful in school and beyond, but it is not the only factor in stemming the school-to-prison pipeline. In order to confront this problem, all root causes, such as poverty, racism, and unequal access to resources, should be overcome. Only then will the public be able to reduce the number of students who are funneled into the criminal justice system.

References

Morrell, E., & Morrell, J. (2021). Critical literacy and the school-to-prison pipeline. In P. Williamson & D. Appleman (Eds.), School, not jail: How educators can disrupt school pushout and mass incarceration (pp. 50-69). Teachers College Press.

NBC News. (2020). How schools are funneling black students into the prison system | Think | NBC News [Video]. YouTube. Web.

Thompson, E. (2022). Reading through the lines: The correlation between literacy and incarceration. NC Health News. Web.

Click Here To Order Now!