Test, Punish, and Pushout: How "Zero Tolerance" and the High-Stakes Testing Funnel Youth Into the School-to-Prison-Pipeline

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 high quality 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.