The Difference Lies Within: A Case Study of Effects of Discipline Practice on School Climate

• In Event: Roundtable Session 4
  In Roundtable Session: Promising Practices for Reducing Bullying, Addressing the Racial Discipline Gap, and Improving School Climate

Abstract

This case study uses data collected from a large, racially and economically diverse metropolitan Texas school district to analyze the effects of school discipline practice on school climate. Relying on Gregory and Cornell’s theory of authoritarian versus authoritative disciplinary approaches (2009), the paper discusses the impact of positive and punitive approaches to discipline in relation to school climate surveys. Findings indicate that positive school climates are associated with less exclusionary discipline practices and that schools utilizing non-exclusionary discipline practices are perceived as having better overall school climates. Implications for relying on school climate indicators to determine discipline practice and policy are discussed and recommendations for evidence-based disciplinary approaches are made.

Authors

• Heather Cole, Raise Your Hand Texas

• Rebecca Cohen, The University of Texas - Austin