Author: KingChris19

Christian Parris

 

Jessica Parker is a reporter for the daily news she was assigned the task of writing an article on the increasing rate of young people under the age of 20 being in prison. For her report, she interviewed a prisoner who is serving a twenty-year sentence Jeremy Thomas for assault and battery. 

Act I

Report: Mr. Thomas I was wondering if we could speak to you about what happened. We all know how you ended up in jail? What got you here for half of your life? What caused this you were still in middle school you had your whole life ahead of you.

 

Jeremy: Well this is a long story where should I start. Maybe with the case or maybe the middle school experience itself. 

 

Jeremy: I was a young kid from Houston he lives with his mom and dad in their apartment in a low-income neighborhood. I had just started middle school with my best friend Tyler. I lived next door to him since there early years. This is the story on how I end up not only friendless but in prison. 

Act II

 Jeremy: I woke up excited but also nervous for my first day of school of my  middle school.  I got dressed for school both my parents have left for work already and I was the last one to leave but before I went to the kitchen to find something to eat. When suddenly I hears a knock on the door. It is Tyler he was my best friend from when we  met when we were still in kindergarten. Now  Both him and I where going to the same middle school unlike me, Tyler is outgoing and mischievous you could never know what he was going to do next.

 

Tyler: Yo you ready to go it’s our first day of school we gotta get their early. 

 

Jeremy: What’s the rush we got so much time school starts in like the next 30 minutes. Let’s take our time it’s not that far.

 

Tyler: Yeah but don’t you know in middle school everyone starts to group into different areas. This is where we make our names I don’t want to be known as the social loser of the school. 

 

Jeremy: Relax there is no way with your outgoing attitude that you become a social outcast.

 

Tyler: Yeah but this is a different ball game from our old school it was easy because everyone was friends with everyone. This..this is middle school the group you hang about with here will affect your social status all the way till college. 

 

Jeremy: Yeah we’ll make sure in your plan to fit in you don’t do anything stupid that can get you into trouble.

 

Tyler: Please what’s the worst the can do give us a slap on the wrist and send us home, I ain’t scared 

 

Jeremy: Right just don’t do anything that I would get you into danger.  I don’t feel like save you from things like fights or drugs 

 

Tyler: Sure I promise I won’t do anything come on bro trust me I ain’t that stupid. Now hurry up and let’s go where on the clock 

 

Jeremy:Fine, let me grab something to eat out of the kitchen before we leave. Alright, let’s head out.

Narrator: They  leave the house and walk to their new school and reach their 5 minutes before class starts. Both of them go to get their schedules realizing they are not in the same class.  

 

Tyler: Dang it well this sucks we not in the same class 

 

Tyler: Well at least we will be able to see each other at lunch and we can go to the arcade after school. 

 

Jeremy: True well we better get to class before the bell rings. See you at lunch 

 

Jeremy is a kid who has always had good grades so he was put in the exiled class. While his friend Tyler a little below average in all his classes so he was put into a regular class. As time when by both of them got used to their new school 2 months have now passed.  

 

Tyler: Bro you heard that tryouts for the basketball team are next week you and me  should tryouts .

 

Jeremy: Really sure I probably would have done it even before asked me but now we a Duo like Steph Curry and Klay Thompson. 

 

Tyler: I better be Curry cause you know I got better handles than you .

 

Jeremy: Sure dude keep dreaming. Let’s go to the park if your serious we got to keep training to be ready. 

 

Tyler: Remember who beat you in a one v one. That was a while ago, bet you can’t beat me now. 

Act III

As they walk to the park they run into kids from school one especially Anthony he’s known to be wild and gets into fights but he is a cool guy at school popular and everyone likes him.

 

Anthony: what’s up guys want to go to a party at my house around the corner come on man it will be fun.

 

Jeremy: No thanks we’re good we were just on our way to the park to play some ball.

 

Anthony: Dang dude why you have to be such a drag in the mud. Whatever you two pansies go play basketball or whatever me and my friends are going to a party.

 

They kept walking to the park once they got there they trained all the way to the night and day every day till the day of tryouts. They got to the tryouts early there they met the coach and got to practice before the tryouts. 

Act IV

Coach: You both have great potential and are hardworking I would love to see you two join the team. 

 

Jeremy: Really thanks coach we both work very hard and would be a great addition to the team.

 

Tyler: Yeah you know it.

 

The tryouts began and everything went well they were both doing great as the tryouts went on both of them showed how hard they worked In the end both were happy to know they made the team. 

 

Tyler: Yes, we did it. 

 

Jeremy: Yep I told you all the hard work would pay off.  

 

Tyler: heck yeah  to celebrate this occasion we should party tonight .

 

Jeremy: Can’t I got to study for a test my class is taking tomorrow. Don’t you have any studying to do as well .

 

Tyler: Come on man light up. I don’t know about you but I got to party

 

Jeremy: bro I think you should study instead but it’s not my choice.

Act V

A few days passed since the tryouts and team practice started the coach pulled Tyler aside and was talking to him. Then out of nowhere, Tyler left Jeremy asked the coach why Tyler left. 

 

Jeremy: Hey Coach asked him why did Tyler leave?

 

Coach: Sadly I had to cut him from the team. 

 

Jeremy: What. Why?

 

Coach: His grades were slipping lately and he wasn’t passing his test he left me no choice. Now come on let’s get back to practice.

 

Later on that night on his way home Jeremy stopped by Tyler House. 

 

Jeremy: Yo bro you good I heard what happened 

 

Tyler:(Angerly) It’s not fear man just cause I scored low on one stupid test I can’t even play anymore it’s not everyone far the stuff on that test was like rocket science. 

 

Jeremy: Bro I told you you should have studied instead of going off partying 

 

Tyler: I didn’t even go I took your advice for once and I studied my hardest and that still wasn’t enough. 

 

Jeremy: well maybe you could get a tutor and if you do well on the next test I could ask the coach to give you a second chance. 

 

Tyler: don’t bother like I have the money for a tutor. Besides it’s too late by the time my grades get up to that level they would have already given away my spot on the team. 

 

Jeremy: bro come on at least we can try

 

Tyler: Thanks for coming but l need some time to myself 

 

(He closes the door)

 

Days pass by Jeremy are hard at work trying to juggle school and basketball he hasn’t heard from Tyler since the last time they talk. He is worried that he would do something stupid and his sesspitions were correct. While that’s happening Tyler runs into Anthony while sitting by the basketball court at the park by himself. 

Act VI

Anthony: If it isn’t the basketball stars where’s your friend is he not hear to protect you. 

 

Tyler: No he is at basketball practice. 

 

Anthony: Really wasn’t you supposed to be on the team as well. 

 

Tyler: I was on the team but I got kicked of cause my grades weren’t high enough.

 

Anthony: Really such a shame so your friend is on the team but you aren’t. Dang, he’s lucky he’s probably of making new friends with everyone while you’re still alone. He will probably forget about you altogether 

 

Tyler: No he won’t we have been friends since we were little he’s my best friend. 

 

Anthony: Oh really, then how come he hasn’t reached To you since he joined the team. You think it’s because he’s busy no it’s because he is moving on, which is what you should be doing. 

 

Tyler: How can I do that? 

 

Anthony: Join me and my friends it will be fun and you could be part of the most popular group in school. What do you say? 

 

Tyler: Well, Sure yeah let’s do it. 

 

Anthony: I was hoping you would say that. 

 

A few week Jeremy realizes he see less of his best friend Tyler and gets the idea to call him and as if he wanted to see his next game and after the game they can go hang out.

Jeremy: Yo bro what’s good.

 

Tyler: Nothing how you been. 

 

Jeremy: I’ve been good. So I was wondering if you would want to go to my next game it will be a big game. Coach is letting me start so what do you say. 

 

Tyler: nah man I’m really busy maybe next time.

 

Jeremy: Ok man by I was wondering if we could hang out on the weekend or something.

 

Tyler : nah man this week isn’t a great time for me 

 

Jeremy: really dang. Well let me know when it’s a great time 

 

Tyler: Alright. 

Act VII

While Tyler grew colder he started not only to engorging Jeremy but became jealous. Jealous on how he was on the basketball team. Jealous how he was able to make new friends and become popular without even trying like  how Jeremy did. It hit the climax with Antoine instigating the problem.

 

Anthony: WOW. Really it took him this long to reach out to you. He must not think of you now that he got his new friends on the basketball team .

 

Tyler: Really you think so? Nah it ain’t like that he probably just been tried, you know from basketball practice and school. 

 

Anthony: You know once I heard him talking with some kids from school them hangout and I thought I saw him with them. But it probably wasn’t him unless he thought you were going to cramp his style. I don’t know I must be going crazy.

 

Tyler: Yeah you’re right you must be cause I know him he would never do that. 

 

Anthony: Hey man don’t get mad at me. I’m just saying. Anyway me and the boys want to hangout and I need you to do us a favor. You could start making a lot of money. 

 

A few days pass Tyler is waking in the stairwell up to his next class but before he gets there he see Tyler with a nervous face like something was wrong. 

 

Jermey: Yo bro it’s been a while. 

 

Tyler: (nervously)Yeah man it has.

 

Jermey: How have you been.

 

Tyler: Fine 

 

Jermey: It’s been crazy how busy I’ve been we gotta find sometime when we can hangout .

 

Tyler: Yeah. Well I got to do something Catch you later. 

 

He runs off Jeremy continue walking when he hears two people talking. Dude it’s so funny we got that guy under the pam of our hand and if we get caught selling test answers we can just say we never knew and get off Scot easy. Anthony was right this was going to be so easy and that dude is so gullible. Yeah I know right (laughter)

Act VIII

Jermey runs to find Anthony in the lunchroom with his group of friends. Tyler is their with them when Jermey walks up to them . 

 

Jermey: I want you to tell the truth.  

 

Anthony: The truth about what? 

 

Tyler: Jermey, Anthony what’s going on here.

 

Jermey: Tell him, tell him your plans on how 

If your illegal business fail you would pine everything on him.

 

Anthony: I don’t know what your talking about 

 

Jeremy:  Yes you do. Quit playing dum 

 

Anthony: Seriously I don’t know.  Now quit bothering me before we have a really problem.

 

Tyler just sits there in silence as Anthony friends surround Jermey. 

 

Jermey: ok I get it.

 

Later on that day Jermey was called into the principal’s office not knowing what he did wrong. To his shock he saw both the principal and vice principal. 

Act IX

Principal: Young man I hope you have a good explanation for this .

She pullout a stack of sheets with with test answers for the school midterm.

Vice Principal: We found this.

Jermey: What is this? I don’t know what your talking about. 

 

Vice principal: oh so your playing dum. We were tipped off by one of your friends on how you were cheating on your test and how you started selling answers. So went and check your gym locker and what do we find.

 

Jermey: miss I swear that isn’t mine. 

 

Principal: I’m sorry but your in deep trouble 

 

Jermey: Can you at least tell me who told you his . 

 

Principal: I’m sorry we can’t 

 

Vice Principal: As I  punishment not only are you going to be suspended but you also are cut from all school activities. 

 

Jermey: what that’s not far. I did nothing 

 

Vice Principal: That’s all your dismissed. We have already contacted your parents. 

 

He leaves to he leave to collect his things when he walks down the stairs he see Tyler 

 

Jermey: Hey Tyler you won’t believe it I think Anthony frame me he planned evidence in my locker and told the principals. I swear if I see him I’ll. 

 

Tyler: It wasn’t him, It was me. 

 

Jermey: What. What do you mean 

 

Tyler: I mean I was the one who planned the answers to the test and told on you. 

 

Jermey: Why would you do that ? 

 

Tyler: Anthony told me how you where a danger to what we were doing and how you might snitch, so I bet you to it. You where handed everything on a silver plate, know your finally back down to earth  

 

Jermey: You were supposed to be my friend how could you.

 

Tyler: Friend? Friend you never had time for me after joining the team and started hanging out with your new friends new friends. Our  friendship went through a rough patch and you lift all together. 

 

Jermey: Your crazy. Did you know your stunt not only got me suspended but kick off the team.

 

Tyler: I’m glad for once you’re the loser in a situation, Not so perfect now.

 

(Back to present)
Act X

Jermey: And at that moment out of anger I pushed him. I pushed him so hard that he fell down the stairs and he got hurt so bad that they said he would never walk again. Police were called and I was put in handcuffs and the rest is history I was put in juvenile detention center. It’s been three years since and I look back on the situation everyday wondering what I could have done differently.  I could have started high school by now, wow time has passed.

 

Reporter: So from what I understand it’s your friends fault? 

 

Jeremy: Nah I don’t blame him anymore I blame the school system. The school to prison pipeline that’s what I’m apart of the school to prison pipeline. In steady of my friend relying on cheating you know what they could have done changed standardized test and maybe just maybe.  On my part instead of pushing him I could have talked out our differences when they started but I couldn’t do it alone schools should offer help in a situation like that. But at the end of the day here doesn’t feel differently from school except I can go home. The same process just like school, prison is just another way to break your spirits.

 

Reporter: final question if you don’t mind. Did you ever hear from Tyler again?

 

Jeremy: No I never heard from him but if I did I would tell him I’m sorry and I that I forgave him . If I could change anything  I would have found someway  to help kids just like Tyler so they don’t go down that path. Instead  of pushing him I should  have talked out our differences but yet I didn’t and now I will regret that for the rest of my life.

 

Christian Parris                                                                     11/9/19

 

What can we do to combat the school to prison pipeline?

 

One of the biggest problems in the United States today is the amount of young minority Americans going in and out of the prison system. It’s because of increasingly harsh school and municipal policies such as school disturbance laws, zero tolerance policies and practices, and an increase in police forces in schools in creating the pipeline. The policy best known is the zero tolerance policy which is school is a strict enforcement of regulations and bans against behaviors or the possession of items deemed undesirable by the schools. This policy is enforced in many ways from suspensions to explosions which causes many kids to be exposed to the street life and end up in jail. In this essay I will be discussing what is the school to prison pipeline and in what ways can we combat the school to prison pipeline so that we can lower the prison rates. 

 

SCHOOL-TO-PRISON PIPELINE by ACLU talks about how the school to prison pipeline is created by in inequality in and the policy are just the way to enforce them. Which is why I believe we should change the policy like the zero  tolerance policy and the amount of money that the schools get. In the arrival it says ”

For most students, the pipeline begins with inadequate resources in public schools. Overcrowded classrooms, a lack of quali­fied teachers, and insufficient funding for “extras” such as counselors, special edu­cation services, and even textbooks, lock students into second-rate educational envi­ronments. What this quote means is that the school down have enough funds to properly prepare the student and how that leads to more dropout because they can’t get the proper education.

 

According to (How High-Stakes Testing Feeds the School-to-Prison Pipeline) written by fairtest.org Standardized test to feeding the school to prison pipeline. Which was written to explain the effects of standardized testing and why it is bad, but also how it helps lead students to the school to prison pipeline. Which gives me my opinion that we should get rid of standardized testing. When research how high stakes testing affect the school to prison pipeline they found “High school exit exams (FairTest, 2008) push many thousands of students out of school. As a result of these factors, urban graduation rates decreased. Some students see no realistic option other than dropping out; some are deliberately pushed out or fail the tests.” This means that the dropout rate around the exit test increase as a result the graduation rate fell down and the dropouts are more likely to get involved with gangs and other illegal activities.

 

It also explains how teaching the book affects not only the student but the learning environment. The text says, “Moreover, the test-prep culture pits teachers against kids, damages school climate and reduces students’ engagement with school. This in turn fosters problem behaviors, which are then countered with zero tolerance”. What this quote means is that because the teacher has to teach to the book students are more likely to get distracted and off-topic which then leads to behavioral problems where they are counted with a zero-tolerance policy. This proves my claim that we showed get rid of the standard test because with the standard test gone kids wouldn’t stress over the school which could lead to dropping out and teachers could go off book and make lessons interesting and effective so there won’t be behavioral problems and students can actually learn.

 

The article (Stopping the School-to-Prison Pipeline Starts With Ending Suspensions) by Sarah Kuta a writer from Colorado who regularly write about education. Wrote this article to talk about the school to prison pipeline and how restorative justice can be an alternative. Restorative justice is an alternate method of disciplining students that seeks to balance the process between being too permissive and being too punitive. The goal of restorative justice is to work with students (the victims and the accused) to come to a solution rather than simply handing down punishment such as suspensions or expulsions. In the article says “We know that many of our students who are suspended are also the ones who don’t make it to graduation,” said David Yusem. The restorative justice coordinator for the Oakland Unified School District explains that because of the harsh punishment of the school system the people who are punished are less likely to graduate and drop out which leads them to get involved in gangs and other legal activities. 

 

David Yusme goes on to prove that restorative justice work by watching the rate go down in school that have restorative justice the the ones without. He says “Oakland schools that have implemented restorative justice practices have seen a 56 percent decrease in dropout rates from 2010 to 2013, compared to a 17 percent decline at schools without restorative justice,according to district data.” What this means is that during the years of 2010 and 2013 they tested to see if restorative justice would have an effect on the graduation rate which it did.This proves my claim that restorative justice is a solution to the school to prison pipeline because it showed the difference between people going to regular school and a school with restorative justice and how the dropping out rate of school’s are lower with restorative justice which higher graduation rates keeping them off the streets and out of prison system. 

 

In the article (Cops in class: Is ‘zero tolerance’ still the right approach?) By Ashley Fantz, a CNN reporter who wrote this article to inform the public about the dangerous effects of the zero tolerance policy and police getting involved in school matters. Which is why I bolive another way to combat the school to prison pipeline is that they should make the police should be the last resort in handling a matter and change. Because of policies like the zero tolerance which was introduced by the former president Ronald Reagan which was first made to target gangs and drugs in schools back in the days. When police or security is called to deal with student acting out they are required to treat the situation like they were dealing with adults which not only means to arrest them but use force. In an article by Ashley Fantz, CNN she gives a few examples of police using to much force on minors “In May, sheriff’s deputies use pepper spray to break up a fight at a Naples, Florida, high school. Three students are arrested and 21 students need medical care.” What this show is the negative effect of the policy because police are called in they use the same amount of power as if they were dealing with a real criminal. This leads to many problems not only physical problems but mental problems and they are most likely to end up in an even worse situation when they get older.

 

Another example she gives is on why not to use police is In March 2015, when “New York Police Department safety agents ask a student to remove safety pins holding his glasses together. When the student refuses, the officers reportedly tackle and arrest him.” This shows the police have no training when Handling young kids because what was said that really happen was after the took the safety pin he try to reach for his glasses and tackled him to the ground. Where his elbow accidently hit on of the officer in the eye. I believe this source is worth listening too because it gives more than two great examples as to why policy like the zero tolerance policy has a negative impact on the school system.

 

In conclusion I believe the school to prison pipeline does exist and there are many ways to combat it a few ways are Make police the last resort, Restorative justice, and get rid of standardized testing. People should care about this topic because it affects the minority groups in the United States. 

 

Fantz, Ashley. “Zero Tolerance Policies and School Cops – CNN.” CNN, Google, 29 Oct. 2015, https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.cnn.com/cnn/2015/10/29/us/police-schools-punishment-zero-tolerance/index.html.

 

“How Testing Feeds the School-to-Prison Pipeline.” FairTest, 28 Mar. 2010, https://www.fairtest.org/how-testing-feeds-schooltoprison-pipeline.

 

Kuta, Sarah. “Ending the School-to-Prison Pipeline Starts With Getting Rid of School Suspensions.” School Leaders Now, 29 Oct. 2019, https://schoolleadersnow.weareteachers.com/end-school-suspensions/.

 

“School-to-Prison Pipeline.” American Civil Liberties Union, https://www.aclu.org/issues/juvenile-justice/school-prison-pipeline.

 

• What is the effect of gentrification on school to prison pipeline? How can we change the school system to keep more kids out of prison  ?