Mission Statement
Education Not Incarceration (ENI) advocates reprioritizing resources away from prison systems into comprehensive and equitable education for all people. ENI is dedicated to supportive rather than punitive actions. ENI mobilizes grassroots campaigns through rallies, forums, petitions, media and lobbying; improves the social fabric supporting schools; develops and implements youth educational programs; and assists families facing punitive measures in the education system.

Vision Statement
Education Not Incarceration (ENI) envisions an equitable economic and social system for all people. By eliminating fear, mistrust and segregation and creating healthy communities, we aim to create a world without prisons. Children come to the world with a clean slate. They should be free of any domination and repression that restricts their ability to achieve their full potential. Children should be respected, caring, and participating members of society. It is in this type of atmosphere that the spirit of youth can flourish.

Current Campaigns

1. Implement Supportive Behavior Models for Youth Instead of Expulsion and Suspension

It is counter productive to push students out of school and into the streets as a way of correcting “behavioral problems”. Education Not Incarceration (ENI) collaborates with the National Education Association to implement best practices alternative discipline models to punitive action, such as the Positive Behavior Support model adopted successfully in Dallas and Florida and piloted in Los Angeles.

2. Support Positive Learning Environments with Strong, Culturally Aware Educators and Empowering Curricula

Education Not Incarceration (ENI) advocates for educators to have the training and resources they need to be sensitive to the diverse needs of their students.   ENI promotes the adoption of culturally relevant curricula, which empower and motivate students to be passionate about learning.  ENI believes that students should receive individual attention in safe modern schools with small learning communities, small class sizes and up-to-date resources.

3. Create Community Schools

Education Not Incarceration (ENI) advocates for schools to incorporate wrap-around programming and support services for students, families and local communities, such as those promoted by Coalition for Community Schools.  ENI believes educational institutions should include a variety of learning opportunities, during and after school, including health services, student/parent counseling, music, art, mentoring, and career training and placement

4. Guarantee Full Scholarships to College, Vocational Programs, or Living Wage Jobs to All Students Who Complete High School

Education Not Incarceration (ENI) works to provide high school students incentive to sustain academic achievement and participation, instilling them with a vision that connects their present educational efforts to their future success. Similar to the “Kalamazoo Promise” which provides full scholarships to high school graduates in Kalamazoo, Michigan, ENI believes government and businesses should provide students with guaranteed living wage employment or free access to higher education after high school completion.

CURRENT CAMPAIGNS WITH CITY GOVERNMENTS & BOARDS OF EDUCATION:

Keep four Oakland schools from being closed
•  Develop a progressive discipline policy for San Francisco School District.
•  Open a school for formerly incarcerated youth in Oakland