School Suspensions: Do The Risks Outweigh The Benefits? A Comprehensive Analysis

Chloe Fitzgerald

5 min read

Post on May 02, 2025

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The Negative Impacts of School Suspensions on Student Outcomes

School suspensions, while intended as a disciplinary measure, often have detrimental effects on students' academic, social-emotional, and overall well-being. The consequences can extend far beyond the immediate suspension period, impacting their future educational prospects and even their life trajectory.

Academic Performance

Suspensions significantly disrupt a student's education, leading to a cascade of negative academic outcomes:

• Increased Absenteeism: Time missed due to suspension directly translates to missed instruction, assignments, and tests. This leads to falling grades and difficulty catching up.
• Disruption to Learning: Even upon return, students may struggle to reintegrate into the classroom, facing social and academic challenges that hinder their ability to learn effectively. This can create a cycle of underachievement.
• Impact on Graduation Rates: Repeated suspensions significantly increase the risk of dropping out of school, limiting future educational opportunities and career prospects. Students facing multiple suspensions are far more likely to not graduate.

Social and Emotional Development

The emotional toll of suspension is substantial. Students often experience:

• Isolation and Alienation: Suspension can lead to feelings of isolation, rejection, and stigmatization, damaging their self-esteem and sense of belonging within the school community.
• Increased Risk of Negative Behaviors: Paradoxically, suspension can increase the likelihood of involvement in criminal activity, substance abuse, and other risky behaviors due to lack of structure and positive engagement.
• Damage to Self-Esteem: The punitive nature of suspension can severely damage a student's self-esteem and sense of worth, impacting their future relationships and mental health.

The School-to-Prison Pipeline

A deeply concerning consequence of school suspensions is their contribution to the school-to-prison pipeline.

• Disproportionate Suspension Rates: Marginalized groups, including students of color and students with disabilities, are disproportionately suspended, perpetuating systemic inequities.
• Cycle of Discipline and Incarceration: Frequent suspensions can create a cycle of negative experiences that increase the likelihood of future encounters with the justice system.
• Alternative Approaches: Implementing alternative disciplinary strategies can interrupt this cycle and create a more supportive learning environment for all students.

The Purported Benefits of School Suspensions and Their Limitations

Proponents of school suspensions often argue they are necessary for maintaining order and safety. However, a closer examination reveals significant limitations to these claims.

Maintaining Order and Safety

While maintaining order and safety in schools is crucial, suspensions are not the most effective strategy.

• Alternative Disciplinary Strategies: Restorative justice, positive behavioral interventions and supports (PBIS), and trauma-informed practices offer more effective ways to address misbehavior and create a positive school climate.
• Climate of Fear: Frequent suspensions can create a climate of fear and distrust, rather than fostering a sense of safety and security.

Protecting Other Students

The argument that suspensions protect other students from disruptive or harmful behavior is often unsubstantiated.

• Lack of Evidence: There's limited evidence demonstrating that suspensions effectively prevent future incidents or protect other students.
• Restorative Justice Practices: Restorative justice practices, which focus on repairing harm and fostering reconciliation, can be significantly more effective in addressing the root causes of disruptive behavior.

Deterrent Effect

The deterrent effect of suspensions is questionable. Research suggests:

• Ineffective Deterrent: Suspensions are often ineffective in deterring future misbehavior. In fact, they may even exacerbate negative behaviors.
• Increased Negative Behavior: The isolation and negative experiences associated with suspension can lead to increased aggression and defiance.

Exploring Alternative Disciplinary Approaches

Moving beyond suspensions requires adopting alternative approaches that address the root causes of misbehavior and foster positive school climates.

Restorative Justice

Restorative justice focuses on repairing harm caused by misbehavior and involves all parties affected.

• Successful Programs: Numerous schools have successfully implemented restorative justice programs, resulting in significant reductions in suspensions and improved school climate.
• Healing and Reconciliation: Restorative justice promotes healing, reconciliation, and a sense of community responsibility.

Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS)

PBIS is a proactive, data-driven approach to creating positive school environments and reducing disciplinary incidents.

• Key Components: Successful PBIS programs involve clearly defined expectations, positive reinforcement, and individualized support for students struggling with behavior.
• Positive Impact: Research consistently shows that PBIS effectively reduces suspensions and improves student behavior and academic performance.

Trauma-Informed Practices

Many students experience trauma that significantly impacts their behavior and ability to learn.

• Trauma's Impact: Trauma can manifest as challenging behaviors, making it crucial to address trauma to prevent and address these behaviors.
• Trauma-Informed Schools: Creating trauma-informed schools involves understanding the impact of trauma on behavior and implementing supportive practices that promote safety and healing.

Conclusion

This analysis demonstrates the significant negative consequences of school suspensions on student outcomes, including academic performance, social-emotional development, and the risk of involvement in the school-to-prison pipeline. While arguments for maintaining order and safety are understandable, the limitations and counterproductive effects of suspensions are substantial. Alternative disciplinary approaches, such as restorative justice, PBIS, and trauma-informed practices, offer more effective and equitable ways to address student misbehavior, promote positive school climates, and create safer, more supportive learning environments for all students. It's time to rethink the widespread use of school suspensions and embrace a more holistic and effective approach to student discipline. Let's work together to create safer, more supportive learning environments for all students, reducing the reliance on school suspensions and promoting positive behavioral strategies.