Safe Schools, Staff Development, and the School-to-Prison Pipeline

Abstract

Zero-tolerance policies have created schools that are often intolerant and destructive to children and communities. High rates of suspension and expulsion of students are associated with negative outcomes and school dropout. New approaches to staff development that create positive school communities are essential in stemming the “school-to-prison pipeline.” Changing school culture to a system that supports youth development and minimizes the use of punitive, ineffective responses to behavior problems is a challenge. Staff development that involves the school and larger community in a three-tiered staff development system, however, can play an essential role in the transformation of the school. The authors review best practices in staff development in the context of changing school management and discipline practices, and recommend alternatives to ways in which schools respond to chronic and serious violations of the school behavioral code.