Should police be allowed in schools?

Following the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests, the role of police in schools quickly came into question. Many activists assert that law enforcement presence in schools have a negative effect on students, particularly Black students who are disproportionately the subject of disciplinary action in schools. Drawing connections between police in low-income schools and the school-to-prison pipeline, many activists believe that school funds dedicated to policing could be used to better support students in other ways, like enacting restorative justice practices. On the other hand, because schools have been the site of so many mass shootings and other forms of interpersonal violence, others argue that having police officers in schools is a necessary expense. Should police be allowed in schools?

investigate

Additional resources to think about

The School to Prison Pipeline, Explained
This video from Vox explains the connection between poorly funded public schools and the disproportionate number of low-income Black and brown people in prison.

No more ‘police’ in Philly schools; ‘safety officers’ in new uniforms coming this fall
The Philadelphia Inquirer discusses changes surrounding police officers in Philadelphia schools, questioning whether they are actual changes or simply using different language.

Black Student Voices: Security and Police Presence In Schools | Education Weekly
10 Black high school students from across the country discuss the impact of policing in schools.

CPS schools remove dozens of cops, shifting $2M from school policing to other student supports
This article from the Chicago Sun-Times takes a look at the decision by the Chicago Public School District to remove some police officers from their schools and move toward restorative justice practices.

contemplate

Who created this message?

What kind of “text” is it?
How similar or different is it to others of the same genre?
What are the various elements (building blocks) that make up the whole?

What creative techniques are used to attract my attention?

What do you notice (about the way the message is constructed)?
What’s the emotional appeal?
What makes it seem “real?”
What's the emotional appeal? Persuasive devices used?

How might different people understand this message differently from me?

How many other interpretations could there be?
How could we hear about them?
How can you explain the different responses?

What lifestyles, values, and points of view are represented in, or omitted from, this message?

What type of person is the reader/watcher/listener invited to identify with?
What ideas or perspectives are left out?
How would you find what’s missing?
What judgments or statements are made about how we treat other people?

Why is this message being sent?

What's being sold in this message? What's being told?
Who is served by or benefits from the message
– the public?
– private interests?
– individuals?
– institutions?

5 Key Questions of Media Literacy used with permission from the Center for Media Literacy.
Copyright 2002-2021, Center for Media Literacy, www.medialit.com

debate