Police in the Hallways: Discipline in an Urban High School

by Kathleen Nolan

Exposing the deeply harmful impact of street-style policing on urban high school students

Genres: Education, Police, Ethnography, Teaching, Nonfiction

224 pages, Unknown Binding

First published January 1, 2011

Reviews

[Kathrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have a million things to say about this book, but my brain has already begun winter break, and I can't convince it to get off the couch and think. I'll wait it out, but in the meantime, if you have any concerns that there appears to be a leak in the punitive practices of the criminal justice system, and it's getting all over our schools, you should take a look at this book -- scholarly but also compelling.
More later...

[Center for Policing Equity · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an excellent primer for people interested in the inner workings of schools, police, courts, and the criminal legal system. Nolan gives a vivid account of what a school that's thoroughly intertwined with courts, police, surveillance, and punishment is like. She paints a picture how a 9th grader wearing a hat in a hallway can land them in criminal court. A must read!

[Zach · Rating 4 out of 5]

Important topic tackled with a keen eye and observation(s). My problem is the same problem I have with all "research" related to education: too much of the book is lost in a style that excludes an important readership--the students themselves--in its structure, language, and intertextuality.

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Before I even read this book, I knew I would give it 5 stars... after all, my old roommate wrote it. But, now that I have finished it I am happy to report I really liked it!! Admittedly, the best part was knowing and picturing Kathy interviewing and interacting with her "living proof" at the south Bronx high school. I could picture the students as well, as I work as a teacher in an urban district and have come across both gang members, disengaged teens, under-prepared students and others those working really hard and ready to move on to college. Also, I could picture (and even hear) my colleagues and community members "through" the staff at the text's high school - some compassionate, some "soft" and some advocating (screaming) for more and more punishment. I both learned from it and enjoyed reading it. I feel all the more prepared to learn about my own school's new reform of Restorative Practices for handling school climate issues.

[Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most depressing but compelling and amazing books I've read. Some of the passages were extraordinarily painful to read; I found myself crying on the subway. Essential.