Young tattooed man in ball cap break dancing, on his toes, hands on knees, on wall background.

Writing Raps Helps Reduce Recidivism in Youth of Color

While our nation’s steadily declining rates of juvenile incarceration are encouraging, widening racial disparities are a pressing call for concern. Racial disparities often begin in the school system and persist at each stage of juvenile justice contact, affecting the lives of youth before and far beyond incarceration.

White sneakers point up, black sneakers point down.

It’s Time for Different Strategies to Fight Racial Disparities

Those of us who have spent months and years working to make responses to youthful law violations effective, equitable and more just have much to be proud of. The volume of philanthropic investments working in sites directly, supporting research, advancing science, incentivizing advocacy and in some cases organizing have made a significant difference in youth justice practices.

scared girl of color

Black Girls Pay the Price When Police Enter Schools

Sen. Marco Rubio sent a letter to Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos and Attorney General Jeff Sessions this week wrongly blaming the Parkland shooting on the Department of Education’s School Discipline Guidance package. This guidance, released in 2014, reminded schools of their responsibility to address racial discrimination in school discipline, which affects students in every state.

School Eating Contest Leaves Bad Taste in Teachers’ Mouths

At the end of a long week of classes, a 10th-grade girl from student government made an announcement in assembly over the buzz of 300 students. When she finished she passed the microphone to another student council member.

Crucial Improvements Needed for the State of Youth Justice

Tuesday is President Donald Trump’s first State of the Union address. As he prepares to address the nation and outline his priorities for the year, we thought it fruitful to write our own State of Youth Justice address.