The Problem

Serious behavior problems are often found in children who are struggling academically and socially. They begin to experience failure, and with it a potentially devastating cascade of related negative effects on their development. A study conducted by Texas A & M concluded that "the greatest predictor of future involvement in the criminal justice system is a history of having been disciplined in school."

• Statistics show that the road to prison begins as early as kindergarten.
• Studies show a causal relationship between reading difficulties and serious behavior problems.
• High school graduation and later incarceration can be predicted as early as the 3rd grade based upon a child's reading ability.
• A child’s ability to succeed in the classroom depends on his or her healthy development.
   

Building relationships with kids while working with schools in early intervention efforts such as, Literacy (K – 3), Abstinence (5 – 8) Life Skills and Positive Action (1 – 5) and Steps 2 Success (4 – 7), Making It Better endeavors to stop the "School to Prison Pipeline."