The Disproportionate Overrepresentation of Minority Youth in ...

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School
Many juvenile court officers also saw dropping out of school as a cause of
delinquency. According to the decision makers, dropping out of school gives teenagers
“too much time on their hands”. It was also suggested that educated people find more
socially acceptable ways to spend their time and solve their problems. One officer told,
“We need to figure out how to keep kids hooked into the educational program because
education is the key to our youth, no matter what color they are.”
The officers expressed concern with school discipline and programming. A lack
of minority teachers and role models, as well as the lack of parent involvement in school
activities were also cited as important factors in the explanations of delinquent behavior.
School discipline was said to be out of control in the Des Moines system.
Suspension was thought to be used much too often.
All it does is put them back out on the streets and makes it even worse.
They [teachers] don’t think that a kid misbehaving in the classroom is
their responsibility. It goes to the administration and they don’t want the
kid in school. I think 20 years ago they would keep you there. If you send
a kid who is misbehaving home, what are you accomplishing
The schools were described as very intolerant and pushing youth out of the school system
who do not conform to the ideal model student.
I don’t like the way schools tend to push behavior disorder kids out of the
system.