Did you know that students who are suspended or expelled from school are three times more likely to have contact with the juvenile justice system in the next school year? 1, 2 The evolution of zero-tolerance school disciplinary policies and practices are resulting in widespread suspensions, expulsions, and involvement in the justice system. Relatively minor school dress or conduct code violations that used to warrant a slap on the wrist have led to more extreme penalties, and as a result students are finding it more difficult to keep up with coursework and stay engaged in school.
Students of color and students with disabilities are most affected. A recent longitudinal study of over one million students in Texas revealed that racial disparities in discipline persist, even after controlling for dozens of factors.3 In the national Office of Civil Rights data collection, 17% of Black students in grades K-12 were suspended at least once in the 2009-2010 school year, and 25% of Black students with disabilities were suspended at least once.1,2
A growing body of evidence has demonstrated the negative impact of punitive and exclusionary disciplinary practices and the availability of effective, positive alternatives. In response, Federal, state, and local entities have encouraged a shift away from harsh disciplinary approaches to focusing on successful, supportive alternatives. Attorney General Eric Holder and Secretary of Education Arne Duncan have launched the Supportive School Discipline Initiative, a collaboration aimed at targeting the disciplinary policies and practices that push youth into the justice system.4
School and court leaders focused on taking positive approaches to school discipline should consider these promising strategies:
- Soliciting and securing stakeholder buy-in to address these issues from all related agencies and departments (education, juvenile justice, law enforcement, social services)
- Collecting and analyzing data to identify unique challenges in your community
- Enlisting a consultant to assess culture, recommend appropriate strategies
- Reconnecting alienated youth, and teaching children how to get along
- Providing professional development in restorative justice, conflict resolution, and classroom management
- Implementing an early warning system tool
- Utilizing an impartial hearing officer
Research also supports the following elements as effective components of a comprehensive program to that can help prevent discipline issues via a safe and supportive learning environment5
- Schoolwide behavioral planning and improved classroom management
- Social emotional learning
- Parent and community involvement
- Early screening for mental health issues
- School and district-wide data systems
- Effective and ongoing collaboration
Learn more about how you might employ these strategies by participating in NCSSLE’s Supportive School Discipline (SSD) Webinar Series and watching our website for research and resources on this topic!
