School districts across the country continue to reevaluate disciplinary measures, as educators and policymakers focus on more effective and equitable ways to address student behavior. While the large majority of school districts still favor methods like suspension and expulsion for a wide range of infractions, evidence continues to show these methods are not the most effective option. Should suspension and expulsion be used in public schools today? And if these methods are not appropriate, what are the alternatives? Check out the ways some experts and school officials are using to approach the issue of discipline in public schools.
The Cost of Discipline
One survey recently conducted on discipline in public schools weighed the cost of such procedures. The non-profit organization Texas Appleseed recently released its findings after surveying 11 school districts in Texas to determine how much is spent on disciplinary programs and school security. According to the Statesman, the survey found that those school districts, which make up about one-fourth of all Texas schools, spend around $227 million annually on disciplinary procedures and security. This number includes spending on expulsions, suspensions, policing, and alternative schools.
The survey comes at a time when Texas schools are facing significant funding cuts from the state. It was also released in anticipation of a Senate meeting involving how to deal with problematic students in public schools. The survey was meant to open discussion on the most effective and most budget-friendly ways to deal with students who present discipline challenges to schools today.
鈥淲e recognize that many Texas school districts were struggling as a result of a $5.4 billion cut in state funding for public education approved at the time to address a budget shortfall,鈥 Deborah Fowler, director of Texas Appleseed, told the Statesman.
Based on the figures released by Texas Appleseed, it does appear that discipline through suspension and expulsion can be a costly venture. But does the effectiveness of the discipline make it worth the expense?
The Academic Benefit
To evaluate the effectiveness of suspension and expulsion, more recent data from state and federal education agencies provide clearer insight. According to the California Department of Education, out-of-school suspensions remain widespread, though rates have declined since their peak in the early 2010s. However, have been tied to low completion rates, low academic performance, and a higher incidence of juvenile justice involvement.
In addition, the students who are subject to this sort of discipline tend to fall into very specific demographics in terms of race, gender, and even disability. These students are less likely to graduate from high school and more apt to get into trouble with the law. However, some argue that if the disciplinary measures are sufficient in improving performance throughout the rest of the student population, the collateral damage in losing some of the students who pose a discipline problem may be worthwhile.
Unfortunately, that does not appear to be the case either. The states that have the highest suspension rates also tend to have the lowest scores on aptitude tests in reading, math, and writing. These discrepancies appear to be consistent even among schools that have similar demographics otherwise. It does not appear that suspension of students has an academic benefit for any of the students in that school.
The Alternative
Fortunately, there are alternatives to suspension and expulsion as a means of disciplining students today. The reports that replacing these traditional methods with positive disciplinary measures tends to create a safer, more productive student environment. The organization cites statistics that show schools that implement discipline policies that focus on producing positive behavior reduce student alienation and promote healthy relationships between students and adults at the school. This may be particularly true for students with disabilities, one of the groups that is often targeted for suspension via the traditional disciplinary model.
The proof is in the pudding at Plum High School in Pennsylvania. Trib Live reports that this school has implemented a positive-behavior system in an effort to discourage unacceptable behavior by rewarding positive actions. Plum has instituted the Principal鈥檚 180 Club, which enters students caught doing good deeds into a raffle where they can win prizes. The first student winner got a gift card to the Cheesecake Factory for correcting math problems in class. Other students could win gift cards for iTunes and items with their school logo.
Plum High School has become a part of a trend toward positive reinforcement in schools. Over the past decade, thousands of U.S. schools have adopted positive behavior frameworks, supported by federal and state initiatives focused on school climate and student well-being.
鈥淭he more schools hear about it, and the more schools see the benefit of implementing this type of positive-behavior framework, they鈥檙e encouraged to sign on,鈥 Kelly M. Vaillancourt, director of government relations at the National Association of School Psychologists, told Trib Live.
Vaillancourt added that the most effective programs of this kind also boasted strong parental support. Another key element to a successful program is clear guidelines involving the expectations for students and ongoing focus on positive behavior in the classroom setting. When it comes to keeping students in school and on a successful track, these positive programs are showing much more promise than traditional disciplinary measures involving suspending and expelling students for negative behavior.
