Steven L. Nelson

“Tryin’ to Survive”: Black Male Students’ Understandings of the Role of Race and Racism in the School-to-Prison Pipeline

ABSTRACT This article examines Black male students’ perceptions of the role of race and racism in perpetuating the school-to-prison pipeline. Through a phenomenological investigation of ten Black male students in the New Orleans area, this article finds that Black male students perceive racism in society, racism in schools, and poor teacher expectations to aid in the perpetuation of the school-to-prison pipeline. Furthermore, the participants of this study revealed that schools may use other Black males who have successfully navigated the educational system to better reach Black male students who are placed at risk of the school-to-prison pipeline. This article considers the responses of theses Black male students to the role of race and racism in the context of critical race theory.

Transitioning to a New Regime or More of the Same

The overrepresentation of racial minorities in special education programs and the continued under-matriculation of racial minorities in postsecondary institutions demonstrate the deep intersectional legacies of racism, classism, sexism, and ableism (Reid & Knight, 2006).

Dual Enrollment Programs: Litigation and Equity

Policymakers and practitioners are increasingly guiding K-12 students into dual enrollment programs. Dual enrollment programs have aided in improving the academic, occupational, and social trajectories of minoritized students although the gains of minoritized students in dual enrollment programs often trail the gains of White students in dual enrollment programs. The research on the legal risk of dual enrollment programs for primary/secondary and postsecondary institutions is scant. The article evaluates whether school districts and/or postsecondary institutions may experience increased risk of litigation arising from the negligent protection of minors on postsecondary campuses. This article uses legal research methods to provide scenarios when harm to minor visitors to college campuses has resulted in judgments against postsecondary institutions. The article provides guidance—based on current legal precedent—for the avoidance of legal liability for school districts and postsecondary institutions participating in dual enrollment programs.