This study examined from multiple perspectives various factors in Virginia schools that increase the likelihood that schools’ behavioral controls for students will increase the risk of student contact with the justice system (“school to prison pipeline”) .
The school-related factors examined in terms of their influence on the school to prison pipeline (STPP) were 1) the presence of school resource officers (SROs) and related policies for managing student problem behaviors; 2) the use of school discipline policies that suspend students from school; 3) school use of “zero tolerance” for student problem behaviors; 4) the influence of school climate on STPP; and 5) the influence of cultural factors in the student population. Contact with the justice system was measured by students becoming formally involved involved in the juvenile justice intake system. Graduation rates were also measured in relation to school climate and school disciplinary policies. 25 tables and 14 figures