Student Suspensions and Arrests: The Role of School Security

• In Event: The Potential and Challenges of Using National Data Sets to Answer Questions in Education

Abstract

Student Suspensions and Arrests:
The Role of School Security
Security measures are being implemented in American schools in response to high-profile but remote instances of violence. The costs are high and increasing annually, but there is woefully little research on possible harms or benefits. This study used merged school-level data from three national surveys to examine the hypothesis that there are unintended consequences of security measures, specifically, increased student suspensions and arrests.
Linear and nonlinear forms of regression analysis revealed that school indiscipline is positively related to suspension rates and arrests. Security measures (police guards and cameras) are also related to higher suspension rates, and police to high numbers of arrests, above and beyond the effect of misbehavior.

Authors

• Jeremy D. Finn, University at Buffalo - SUNY

• Timothy J Servoss, Canisius College