The Ineffectiveness Of School Suspensions: Promoting Positive Discipline Strategies

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 seemingly a simple solution to disruptive behavior, often yield unintended and negative consequences for students. The impact extends beyond the immediate suspension period, creating a ripple effect that negatively impacts academic progress and overall well-being.

Increased Truancy and Drop-out Rates

Suspensions frequently lead to increased absences, making it exceptionally difficult for students to catch up academically. This lost instructional time contributes to a cycle of disengagement and, ultimately, a higher likelihood of dropping out.

• Correlation between suspension rates and higher dropout rates: Numerous studies demonstrate a strong correlation between the frequency of school suspensions and increased dropout rates, particularly among marginalized student populations.
• Missed instruction time leading to academic setbacks: The time missed during suspension represents lost learning opportunities, making it harder for students to keep up with their peers and potentially leading to a decline in academic performance.
• Erosion of trust between students and school authorities: Frequent suspensions can damage the student-school relationship, fostering resentment and distrust, making future engagement and cooperation more challenging.

The Link Between Suspension and Delinquency

Suspension, rather than being a deterrent, can ironically increase the likelihood of delinquent behavior. The isolation and lack of structured activities during suspension can expose students to negative influences and increase their involvement in criminal activities.

• Increased risk of peer association with delinquent behavior: Students suspended from school may find themselves associating with peers who engage in delinquent activities, amplifying the risk of further negative behaviors.
• Lack of structured activities leading to increased idleness: The unstructured time during suspension often leads to increased idleness, providing opportunities for engagement in risky behaviors.
• Limited access to support systems during suspension: Students may lose access to crucial support systems, such as counseling services and mentoring programs, further increasing their vulnerability.

The Disproportionate Impact on Marginalized Students

Research consistently reveals that students from minority groups and those with disabilities are disproportionately suspended. This disparity highlights inherent biases within disciplinary practices and perpetuates existing systemic inequalities within the education system.

• Bias in disciplinary practices: Implicit biases often influence disciplinary decisions, leading to harsher punishments for students from marginalized communities.
• Lack of culturally responsive discipline strategies: Traditional disciplinary approaches may not be effective or culturally appropriate for all students, leading to unfair and ineffective outcomes.
• Need for equitable disciplinary measures: Implementing equitable disciplinary measures requires addressing the root causes of misbehavior and ensuring fair and consistent application of rules across all student populations.

Positive Discipline Strategies as Effective Alternatives to Suspension

Replacing school suspensions with positive discipline strategies offers a proactive approach to fostering a more supportive and productive school environment. These strategies focus on addressing the root causes of misbehavior rather than simply punishing the symptoms.

Restorative Justice Practices

Restorative justice focuses on repairing harm caused by misbehavior through dialogue and collaboration between the offender, victim, and community. This approach emphasizes accountability, empathy, and reconciliation.

• Promoting empathy and accountability: Restorative justice practices encourage students to understand the impact of their actions on others and take responsibility for their behavior.
• Reintegrating offenders back into the school community: The process helps reintegrate students into the school community, fostering a sense of belonging and reducing the likelihood of future misbehavior.
• Building stronger relationships among students and staff: Restorative justice fosters stronger relationships between students and staff, creating a more supportive and collaborative learning environment.

Conflict Resolution and Mediation

Equipping students with conflict resolution skills empowers them to address disagreements peacefully and constructively, thereby reducing the need for disciplinary action.

• Teaching communication and negotiation skills: Teaching students effective communication and negotiation techniques can prevent conflicts from escalating into serious incidents.
• Facilitating peer mediation programs: Peer mediation programs provide students with the opportunity to resolve conflicts amongst themselves with the guidance of trained mediators.
• Creating a more peaceful and collaborative school environment: By teaching conflict resolution skills, schools create a more peaceful and collaborative learning environment where students feel safe and respected.

Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS)

PBIS is a proactive approach that focuses on teaching positive behaviors and providing support to students who struggle. This framework employs a multi-tiered system of support, ensuring that all students receive the appropriate level of intervention.

• Clearly defined expectations and consequences: PBIS utilizes clearly defined expectations and consistent consequences, ensuring that students understand the rules and the repercussions of breaking them.
• Positive reinforcement strategies: Positive reinforcement strategies reward positive behavior, reinforcing desirable actions and reducing the likelihood of negative behavior.
• Tiered system of support for students with varying needs: PBIS provides a tiered system of support, offering varying levels of intervention based on student needs, ensuring that all students receive the support they need to succeed.

Conclusion

The ineffectiveness of school suspensions is clear, contributing to negative student outcomes and exacerbating systemic inequalities. By embracing positive discipline strategies such as restorative justice, conflict resolution, and PBIS, schools can create safer, more supportive, and ultimately, more effective learning environments. Shifting away from the reliance on school suspensions and towards these proven alternatives is crucial for building a more equitable and effective education system. Let's work together to replace ineffective school suspensions with positive discipline strategies that benefit all students, creating a positive and productive learning experience for everyone.