School Discipline “Matters”: Exploring the Education and Policy Contexts

Session Submission Type: Symposium

Abstract

This session highlights the increasing importance of school discipline policies by focusing on discipline “matters.” “Matters” in the context of this session refers to (a) the significance of discipline policies as relate to issues of inclusion/exclusion and marginalization of students and (b) the aspects of discipline policies and practice that constitute important sites for research inquiry. Each paper makes one or both of these ‘matters’ a central focus. Collectively, the papers suggest the field would benefit from more rigorous inquiry into how the various aspects of discipline policies interact (or fail to interact) at various levels (e.g. micro – macro) and across different institutional settings (e.g. detention centers, state legislatures, schools) to shape the educational experiences of school-aged youth. symposium make one or both of these ‘matters’ a central focus. Collectively, the papers suggest the field would benefit from more rigorous inquiry into how the various aspects of discipline policies interact (or fail to interact, as one paper suggests) at various levels (e.g. micro – macro) and across different institutional settings (e.g. detention centers, state legislatures, schools) to shape the educational experiences of school-aged youth.

Sub Unit

• SIG-Safe Schools and Communities

Chair

• Brianna L. Kennedy-Lewis, University of Florida

Papers

• Identifying Theory: Capturing the Ecology of the School-to-Prison Pipeline - Heather Cole, The University of Texas - Austin

• Using a Critical Policy Analysis to Reveal Competing Ideologies in Zero Tolerance Legislation: Do We Really Want to Leave No Child Behind? - Brianna L. Kennedy-Lewis, University of Florida

• Facility to School Transition: A Case Study of Juvenile Justice Personnel Perspectives on School Reentry - Rebecca Cohen, The University of Texas - Austin

• The Effects of Educational Policy and Local Context on Special Education Students' Experiences of School Removal and Transition - Tara Marie Brown, University of Maryland - College Park

• More Than What’s “Supposed” to Happen: School Discipline Policy as Text and Discourse - Decoteau J. Irby, University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

Discussant

• Ron Avi Astor, University of Southern California