Students In Corpus Christi And Around Texas Face Challenges To Staying In School
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Kirsten Bokenkamp, Communications Coordinator, ACLU of Texas, (713) 942-8146 x 109 or (832) 691-7013; [email protected]
HOUSTON – The ACLU of Texas will be in Corpus Christi on Tuesday to discuss school discipline policies that criminalize childish misbehavior and the ACLU of Texas Community Action Network (CAN) that seeks solutions to help keep students in school.
“We encourage all those with an interest in this vital issue often known as the school-to-prison-pipeline to join us at this community event,” said Terri Burke, Executive Director of the ACLU of Texas. “We are conducting similar ‘road show’ events in cities around the state.”
Some of the smaller school districts in Texas have the highest student arrest rates. For example, Corpus Christi has a higher arrest rate than San Antonio ISD, and issues a higher percentage of students with Class C misdemeanor tickets than Houston ISD.
Current education policies and practices funnel many children out of school and into the juvenile justice system. Students of color and those with special needs are especially vulnerable to push-out practices and the discriminatory application of discipline. The result is a high drop-out rate which correlates with higher prison populations.
What: ACLU of Texas CAN Road Show on the School-to-Prison Pipeline
When: Tuesday, October 18, at 7:30PM
Where: The Progressive Center, 413 Waco Street, Corpus Christi, Texas
For more information on the state of equality and school disciplinary practices in Texas, visit the Youth Rights TX website here. For more information about this event, please click here.
