Test, Punish, and Push Out: How "Zero-Tolerance" and High-Stakes Te...

A report by The Advancement Project

Advancement Project is an innovative civil rights law, policy, and

communications “action tank” that advances universal opportunity

and a just democracy for those left behind in America. We believe

that sustainable progress can be made when multiple tools—law,

policy analysis, strategic communications, technology, and research—

are coordinated with grassroots movements.

From the Executive Summary

Our tragically low national high school graduation rates

should shock the conscience of every American. Reform

is clearly needed, but it should start with the policies

and practices that have resulted in millions of children

not receiving a full and equal chance to receive a highquality

education. While there are many factors that

contribute to this sad reality, this report explores the two

policies that may pose the most direct threat to the educational

opportunities of America’s youth: “zero tolerance”

school discipline and high-stakes testing.

While they are usually considered separately, these two

policies are actually closely related. In fact, zero tolerance

and high-stakes testing both share the same ideological

roots, and together they have combined to seriously

damage the relationships between schools and the

communities they serve throughout the country. Rather

than helping to provide all students with enriching learning

experiences, zero tolerance and high-stakes testing

lead to an impoverished education for many young people.

Instead of supporting students who are struggling or

in need, both needlessly punish young people and limit

their opportunities to fulfill their potential and achieve

their goals.

Together, zero tolerance and high-stakes testing have

turned schools into hostile and alienating environments

for many of our youth, effectively treating them as dropouts-

in-waiting. The devastating end result of these intertwined

punitive policies is a “school-to-prison pipeline,”

in which huge numbers of students throughout the country

are treated as if they are disposable, and are being

routinely pushed out of school and toward the juvenile

and criminal justice systems.

For the full report, click here.