Instructor-Led Breaking the School-to-Prison Pipeline

Held September 18, 2026 via Zoom

9 am - 12 pm (3 CEUs)

The NASW Code of Ethics calls for the promotion of the dignity and worth of all people. However, in schools today, some students are steered toward college, while others, usually belonging to marginalized groups, are pushed out of education and into incarceration. The history and components of the school-to-prison pipeline will serve as a backdrop for analyzing how this pathway is playing out in the U.S. today. As some call for schools to be made “harder,” the resulting impact on students could be funneling more into the school-to-prison pipeline. The implications of legislation and policies will be evaluated and potential solutions and model practices will be explored.

Upon concluding this course, fully engaged participants participants will be able to:

• Discuss the history and effects of the school-to-prison pipeline.
• Apply their understanding of the school-to-prison pipeline to today’s climate around hardening schools in response to school shootings.
• Name policies and practices to advocate for in their communities which counter the school-to-prison pipeline.

Natalie Beck Aguilera, DSW, LCSW-S, earned her Bachelor's degree from Southwestern University, Master's degree in Social Work from The University of Texas, and Doctor of Social Work from The University of Tennessee. She has practiced as a professional social worker for over 17 years in the juvenile legal system, school-based mental health, and substance use treatment, and currently works as Associate Professor of Social Work and Practicum Director at St. Edward’s University. Dr. Beck Aguilera's areas of passion include family-based treatment for adolescents and breaking the school-to-prison pipeline.