scholarly journals Toward an alternative community-driven restorative model of school discipline

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johanne Jean-Pierre
Keyword(s):  
Academic Success ◽  
Nova Scotia ◽  
Alternative Model ◽  
School Discipline ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Research Project ◽  
Scholarly Literature ◽  
School Suspensions ◽  
Black Learners ◽  
Out Of School

Introduction -- Education is concomitantly a path for self-actualization and personal growth, a mechanism of social mobility, a crucial factor of labour market outcomes and lifetime earnings, a social determinant of health and quality of life, a fundamental institution in a democratic society, and a human right. Because education is so consequential at the individual and societal levels, barriers to it are a cause of great concern for various stakeholders, including parents, students, and community advocates. As a case in point, several advocates have identified issues pertaining to school discipline processes and outcomes in Nova Scotia (Barjun Consultants, 2001; Black Learners Advisory Committee, 1994; Nunn, 2006). Recently, we learned that Black learners in Nova Scotia are more likely to be subjected to out-of-school suspensions than other students across the province (Woodbury, 2016). Yet, scholarly literature indicates that punitive school discipline, such as out-of-school suspensions, are ineffective, worsen problematic behaviour, alienate students from school, and keep students away from formal learning opportunities (Fenning et al., 2004; Gregory et al., 2010; Jean-Pierre & Parris-Drummond, 2018; Mayer, 2001; Noguera, 2003). <div><br></div><div>This report is based on the main findings of a qualitative study that aimed to address school discipline racial disproportionality in Nova Scotia, conceive an alternative model of school discipline, and promote the academic success of Black learners. A research project was conducted with African Nova Scotian and Black immigrant youth, parents, and community members across the province between 2018 and 2019 in both English and French. Through nine focus groups and 17 interviews, 60 members of the community provided their perspectives and insights to inform the conception of an alternative model of school discipline. A community forum subsequently took place in March 2020 to discuss the findings and main recommendations with community members. Based on the research project and scholarly literature, this report presents key findings and recommendations that can foreground future school discipline policy and interventions to further Black learners’ academic success in Nova Scotia. Overall, the key themes derived from participants’ narratives emphasize the need to adopt alternative non-punitive responses to misconduct—primarily a restorative model—while simultaneously enhancing inclusive curricular and pedagogical practices to foster Black students’ academic success.</div>

scholarly journals Toward an alternative community-driven restorative model of school discipline

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johanne Jean-Pierre
Keyword(s):  
Academic Success ◽  
Nova Scotia ◽  
Alternative Model ◽  
School Discipline ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Research Project ◽  
Scholarly Literature ◽  
School Suspensions ◽  
Black Learners ◽  
Out Of School

Introduction -- Education is concomitantly a path for self-actualization and personal growth, a mechanism of social mobility, a crucial factor of labour market outcomes and lifetime earnings, a social determinant of health and quality of life, a fundamental institution in a democratic society, and a human right. Because education is so consequential at the individual and societal levels, barriers to it are a cause of great concern for various stakeholders, including parents, students, and community advocates. As a case in point, several advocates have identified issues pertaining to school discipline processes and outcomes in Nova Scotia (Barjun Consultants, 2001; Black Learners Advisory Committee, 1994; Nunn, 2006). Recently, we learned that Black learners in Nova Scotia are more likely to be subjected to out-of-school suspensions than other students across the province (Woodbury, 2016). Yet, scholarly literature indicates that punitive school discipline, such as out-of-school suspensions, are ineffective, worsen problematic behaviour, alienate students from school, and keep students away from formal learning opportunities (Fenning et al., 2004; Gregory et al., 2010; Jean-Pierre & Parris-Drummond, 2018; Mayer, 2001; Noguera, 2003). <div><br></div><div>This report is based on the main findings of a qualitative study that aimed to address school discipline racial disproportionality in Nova Scotia, conceive an alternative model of school discipline, and promote the academic success of Black learners. A research project was conducted with African Nova Scotian and Black immigrant youth, parents, and community members across the province between 2018 and 2019 in both English and French. Through nine focus groups and 17 interviews, 60 members of the community provided their perspectives and insights to inform the conception of an alternative model of school discipline. A community forum subsequently took place in March 2020 to discuss the findings and main recommendations with community members. Based on the research project and scholarly literature, this report presents key findings and recommendations that can foreground future school discipline policy and interventions to further Black learners’ academic success in Nova Scotia. Overall, the key themes derived from participants’ narratives emphasize the need to adopt alternative non-punitive responses to misconduct—primarily a restorative model—while simultaneously enhancing inclusive curricular and pedagogical practices to foster Black students’ academic success.</div>

I Want To Learn But They Won’t Let Me: Exploring the Impact of School Discipline on Academic Achievement

2020 ◽  
pp. 004208592096862
Author(s):  
Charles Bell ◽  
Tiffany Puckett
Keyword(s):  
Academic Achievement ◽  
Critical Race Theory ◽  
School Discipline ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Catching Up ◽  
School Suspensions ◽  
American Students ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Perceptions Of School ◽  
Out Of School

Using Critical Race Theory (CRT) as a guiding conceptual framework, this qualitative study examines black students’ and parents’ perceptions of school discipline and its impact on academic achievement. The findings support the notion that out-of-school suspension has a negative impact on the academic achievement of African American students and suggest that this phenomenon emerges through a multifaceted process that includes (a) missing assignments and having trouble catching up, (b) missing vital instruction throughout the disciplinary period, and (c) educator resistance to providing makeup work to students who receive out-of-school suspensions. This study also provides some practical recommendations for school leaders.

Can Assistant Principals’ Years of Experience Make a Difference in School Suspensions? A State-wide Analysis of North Carolina Assistant Principals

2020 ◽  
pp. 105268462096993
Author(s):  
John A. Williams ◽  
Alicia Davis ◽  
Sonyia C. Richardson ◽  
Chance W. Lewis
Keyword(s):  
North Carolina ◽  
Assistant Principals ◽  
School Discipline ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Final Decision ◽  
Years Of Experience ◽  
Capital Theory ◽  
School Year ◽  
School Suspensions ◽  
Out Of School

School discipline disparities within the U.S. P-12 public schooling system have been a staple issue for over four decades. The enforcement of out-of-school suspensions, in particular by inexperienced teachers, have traditionally impacted Black and Latinx students more than White students. Yet teachers are not the final decision-makers regarding student discipline which rests primarily on the shoulders of assistant principals and principals. While researchers have clearly linked teacher experience to discipline disparities, more research is needed to fully explicate the tenure of assistant principals; who often are the final decision-makers when it pertains to suspending a student. Utilizing human capital theory, this study examines school discipline data and North Carolina personnel data from the 2015–2016 school year to determine if assistant principals’ years of experience in the current role, and their years of experience as teachers could predict out-of-school suspensions by gender and race. The findings suggest that Black males’ suspension could be predicted by assistant principals’ years of experience as a teacher; and Latinx females’ suspensions could be predicted by assistant principals’ longevity in their current position and in their roles as classroom teachers. Interestingly, the findings illuminate that assistant principals are relatively inexperienced within the state, with most having less than one-year worth of experience in these positions.

Current Disciplinary Practices with Handicapped Students: Suspensions and Expulsions

1988 ◽  
Vol 55 (3) ◽  
pp. 230-239 ◽  
Author(s):  
Terry L. Rose
Keyword(s):  
School Discipline ◽  
Exclusionary Discipline ◽  
Research Directions ◽  
Disciplinary Practices ◽  
Discipline Practices ◽  
School Suspensions ◽  
Behavioral Variables ◽  
Out Of School

Several exclusionary discipline practices used with handicapped learners, including in-school suspensions, out-of-school suspensions, and explusion, are described. A school discipline survey was mailed to 371 principals in 18 randomly selected states representing the 9 U.S. Census districts. Results indicated differential uses of the exclusionary disciplinary practices. Descriptions of the use of these disciplinary practices across general, demographic, and behavioral variables are provided and discussed. Further research directions and instructional implications are also discussed.

Opening doors for bilingual students: Recommendations for building linguistically responsive schools

2012 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 130-147 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amy J Heineke ◽  
Elizabeth Coleman ◽  
Elizabeth Ferrell ◽  
Craig Kersemeier
Keyword(s):  
Academic Achievement ◽  
Language Policy ◽  
Bilingual Students ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Effective School ◽  
Bilingual Learners ◽  
School Structures ◽  
Scholarly Literature ◽  
The Social ◽  
Collaborative Efforts

In this article, we outline the necessary action steps for schools to improve the achievement of bilingual students. We review, summarize, and utilize the pertinent scholarly literature to make suggestions for school-wide, collaborative efforts to support the achievement of bilingual learners through linguistically responsive pedagogy and practice. Our research-based recommendations include the need for school actors to negotiate language policy and mandates, lay the necessary ideological foundations, build effective school structures and systems, and foster meaningful collaboration with families and communities. When teachers, administrators, counselors, families, and community members work together, schools can improve to promote the social, cultural, linguistic, and academic achievement of bilingual students.

Black Students in Handcuffs: Addressing Racial Disproportionality in School Discipline for Students with Dis/abilities

2018 ◽  
Vol 120 (13) ◽  
pp. 1-24
Author(s):  
Dorothy E. Hines ◽  
Robb King ◽  
Donna Y. Ford
Keyword(s):  
Civil Rights ◽  
Black Students ◽  
Black Males ◽  
Geographic Area ◽  
Black Girls ◽  
Black Boys ◽  
School Suspension ◽  
Black Females ◽  
School Suspensions ◽  
Out Of School

Although there are federal protections for students with dis/abilities under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) 1975, Black students with and without dis/abilities continue to be suspended and expelled at rates that exceed their peers. Still, there is limited research on how Black girls and Black boys are disciplined across suspension types, and based on their identification for special education services. The purpose of this article is to examine the overrepresentation of Black girls and Black boys with and without dis/abilities and to determine, using a quantifiable percentage, how the overrepresentation of Black students for in-school and out-of-school suspension can be eradicated. We use data from the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, Civil Rights Data Collection 2011–2012 to examine equity (justice and fairness) in disciplinary referrals using state-by-state and regional data. Using an equity formula, we analyzed national data to determine the magnitude of Black females’ and Black males’ overrepresentation in in-school and out-of-school suspensions for students with and without dis/abilities. This study indicates that Black females with dis/abilities had the highest rate of overrepresentation in the Midwest in in-school and out-of-school suspension. In comparison, Black males experienced a greater representation in in-school suspension. Regardless of geographic area Black girls and Black boys are continuously being overrepresented in disciplinary punishments. To end the over-representation of Black girls and Black boys in in-school and out-of-school suspensions, schools and policy makers must collaborate with communities of color, eliminate teacher implicit and explicit racial biases, and discontinue racially punitive school policies.

Racialized Perceptions of School Violence Suspensions of African-American Students

2019 ◽  
pp. 208-226
Author(s):  
Jeffrey Herron ◽  
Morghan Vélez Young-Alfaro
Keyword(s):  
African American ◽  
School Violence ◽  
Racial Discrimination ◽  
African American Students ◽  
School Suspensions ◽  
American Students ◽  
Learning School ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Perceptions Of School ◽  
Out Of School

The history and current practices of out-of-school suspensions significantly impact African-American students; research shows the practices to be overly used and target African-American students. This chapter explores the ways that school violence is responded to disproportionally and is entangled with racial mythology. That is, racial discrimination shows up in structural and interpersonal ways such as suspending and expelling students of Color for the same infractions for which White peers get to return to class such as kicking a trashcan, defiance, and truancies. The chapter closes with recommendations for educators and policymakers, focusing on ways to mitigate the impact of out-of-school suspension practices and racial discrimination in order to improve the future of learning, school discipline, and outcomes of African-American students.

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