We use data from Texas spanning 2007–2017 to explore the frequency of teacher sanctions for illegal and unethical behavior and their disproportionality by teacher characteristics. Analyses reveal that the overall incidence of teacher sanctioning is low, with teachers most frequently sanctioned for sexually related offenses. Consistent with documented disproportionalities in student discipline, we find key disproportionalities in teacher sanctions by gender and race: Overall, male, Black, and Hispanic teachers are overrepresented among sanctioned teachers. However, we also observe important interactions between race and gender. Notably, for example, Black female teachers are particularly likely to be sanctioned for contract and financial violations, while Black male teachers are particularly likely to be sanctioned for drugs and violence. We conclude with implications for policy.
