Richland 2 parent group hosts ‘school-to-prison pipeline’ panel

The Richland 2 Black Parents Association is hosting a forum this week to discuss issues relating to school discipline and what’s commonly referred to as the “school-to-prison pipeline.”

A discussion will begin at 6 p.m. Thursday at the Sandhills Research Center, 900 Clemson Road, Columbia.

The American Civil Liberties Union, a partner in presenting the discussion, describes the “school-to-prison pipeline” as “policies and practices that push our nation’s schoolchildren, especially our most at-risk children, out of classrooms and into the juvenile and criminal justice systems. This pipeline reflects the prioritization of incarceration over education,” the organization’s website says.

Parents and children are welcome to attend. Topics to be covered include:

▪ School discipline policies.

▪ Parents rights and responsibilities regarding 504 Plans and Individualized Education Program plans.

▪ The high rate of suspensions and expulsions of black students.

▪ South Carolina’s disturbing schools law.

▪ Culture and cultural sensitivity.

This story was originally published April 26, 2016 at 11:25 AM with the headline "Richland 2 parent group hosts ‘school-to-prison pipeline’ panel."