Disrupt the school-to-prison pipeline

The pre-school-to-prison pipeline disproportionately impacts Black and Brown youth, channeling them away from educational opportunities and toward incarceration. By investing in career-connected learning options and restorative discipline practices, we can keep young people in school and out of prison while preparing them for high-demand careers that drive Texas' economic growth. This approach not only transforms individual lives but strengthens entire communities.

OBJECTIVE A: Pilot, prove, and expand programming in Dallas County that equips young scholars to excel in academia, lead in civic life, and advance policy solutions relevant to their own lives and communities. After proof of concept, expand from one school to 30 over five years. 

OBJECTIVE B: In 2025 join partners to propose new career-connected learning options for Black and Brown students, ensuring them access to high-demand careers driving the state’s current and future economic growth. 

OBJECTIVE C: In 2027 we will join partners to advance local and statewide restorative discipline policies and practices to keep youth in school and out of prison. 

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHT: TCJE recently celebrated first-year implementation of the “Change Your Perception (CYP) Initiative” (Objective a) under the leadership of TCJE's former Dallas County Director Leon Theodore. The Initiative was delivered in partnership with BOMLA, the Barack Obama Male Leadership Academy, a public charter school in the Oak Cliff area of Dallas. CYP included a travel program that makes civic engagement, restorative leadership, and cultural competence tangible for Black, Indigenous, and all other scholars of color, specifically Black scholars. The simple act of traveling internationally allowed students to experience various cultures, and learn how they fit in society beyond their neighborhoods. This grows their agency, increases mindfulness, and encourages their entire families to be more civically active. 

In Fall 2024, 17 student “Ambassadors” participating in PEP traveled to Stuttgart, Germany for a week-long summit with other youth from Israel, India, and Germany. Summit workshops enjoined them to act locally and globally to counter racism and antisemitism. Schools Opposing Racism and Antisemitism (SCORA), the host organization covered all costs for accommodations, travel, and food in Stuttgart. The summit closed with Ambassadors designing a learning capstone presentation.