Suspending Students out of School for "Other": A Mixed-Methods Study on New Hampshire Middle Schools

• In Event: 70.067 - Poster Session 15
  In Poster Session: 70.067-3 - The More Things Change, the More They Stay the Same

Abstract

This study explored what middle school student behaviors that resulted in out-of-school suspension were reported to the New Hampshire Department of Education as “Other,” whether those suspensions were mandated by policy or law, and how use of suspensions varied among schools. Data for this mixed-methods research were collected from documents, administrator surveys, and administrator interviews. Outcomes indicated that behaviors most often resulting in OSS reported as “Other” included inappropriate language and disruption. Students who persistently misbehaved received OSS reported as “Other,” and adult-directed misbehaviors resulted in OSS reported as “Other” after one infraction. The decision to suspend a student out-of-school was based on school policy or administrator discretion, and the use of out-of-school suspension varied widely among schools.

Author

• Lisa Bozogan, Plymouth State University