Environmental Harms and the School-to-Prison Pipeline

• In Event: Poster Session I

Abstract

Recent research has documented the disproportionate rate at which certain students enter the school to prison pipeline. In fact, children from disadvantaged neighborhoods, children of color, and children with disabilities are at greatest risk of receiving formal sanctions for behavior often linked to IEP or 504 identified disorders compared to other neighborhoods (Heir et al. 2014; Tulman & Douglas 2010). Research also shows that disadvantaged neighborhoods have more environmental hazards (e.g., lead poisoning). These environmental hazards are further linked to personality traits conducive to delinquency and criminal behavior (see Chen et al., 2005; Wright et al., 2008). This study aims to examine consequences environmental hazards on early childhood development and the risk of school misconduct that leads to disciplinary actions that trigger the school-to-prison pipeline.

Authors

• Jennifer Hartsfield, Bridgewater State University

• Khadija M Monk, Bridgewater State University