Missouri Developmental Disabilities Council Disrupting the School to Prison Pipeline (SToPP)

SToPP project public service announcement

Grantee:  Missouri Juvenile Justice Association

Project Background

Nationally, students of color who have developmental disabilities are treated more harshly than other students. They are disciplined more often and more harshly than others. Missouri schools struggle with this as well. Policies lead to students being punished more often and referred to the juvenile justice system. Police and school resource officers get involved, more often than they should, when students are punished. Some districts have found that using restorative justice practices have led to more positive outcomes.

Project Description

This is a three year project that should disrupt Missouri’s School to Prison Pipeline (SToPP), for students of color with developmental disabilities. The project will create restorative justice trainings for educators, school resource officers, and other community members.  Due to these trainings, students will have a better chance of being treated fairly.  Students should not be referred as often to the juvenile justice system and more likely to have access to a quality, equitable education. A focus of the trainings will be on supporting students rather than punishing them.