Sounding the Alarm: Criminalization of Black Girls in Florida

More than 300,000 Black girls attend K–12 public schools across Florida. Black girls represent about one in five girls, although this varies by location. It is imperative to consider data by race and ethnicity within gender to better understand differences in girls' experiences. The data illuminate ongoing systemic failures and criminalizing responses that put the overall well-being of Black girls at risk. This research brief is sounding the alarm about the experiences of Black girls, who are disproportionately impacted by the education and juvenile justice systems. Disparate responses across systems increase risk of exclusion, criminalization, and system involvement. This is a pressing priority that calls for transformational reforms.

Research to Action: Make Girls a Priority in Florida

This third publication of the Status of Girls series, Research to Action: Make Girls a Priority in Florida, bases its recommendations on the findings from the first two research publications. This report highlights where we can invest in girls who are at the greatest risk for trauma, mental health challenges, exploitation, or system involvement. This includes raising community awareness and addressing policies and practices that perpetuate trauma and disparate educational and well-being outcomes for girls in Florida.