School Resources, Race & Carcerality: A Multi-Site Examination of District Strategies to Reallocate

A talk presented by Dr. Taylor Enoch-Stevens

Recently, school districts have considered ways to reallocate dollars previously used for school police in order to reduce racial disparities in discipline and promote racial equity. Such organizational shifts can promote deep system change when implemented effectively. However, little is known about districts’ reallocation strategies and how they align with racial equity pursuits. In a multi-site study of 19 school districts from 2020-2023, I examined how districts reallocated funds previously used for school police. Drawing on interviews, document artifacts, and frameworks of racial capitalism and equity-mindedness, I analyzed the stated goals of reallocation, the conditions shaping implementation efforts, and the racial equity implications of these policy decisions. The findings suggest that district and school leaders wanted to reduce racial disparities in discipline; however, key issues arose during the policy design and implementation stages that potentially stunted racial equity pursuits. I argue that although reallocation strategies were a necessary step toward restructuring discipline and safety in racially equitable ways, additional considerations and investments are important to move toward substantive shifts.

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