School Discipline Characteristics of American Indian Students

• In Event: Roundtable Session 56
  In Roundtable Session: Exploring Race, Gender, Sexuality, and Ability From a Systems Perspective

Abstract

Office disciplinary referrals (ODR) and classroom exclusions among students from minority backgrounds have been a persistent concern for decades. The purpose of this paper and presentation will be to discuss the disciplinary characteristics of 10,469 students from kindergarten through 12th grade in two Southwestern school districts with a 23.2% American Indian population. Results indicated that American Indian students, along with African American students, in general education have been overrepresented in the accumulation of ODRs. Additionally, American Indian students in both general and special education have been more likely to be given out-of-school suspensions and expulsions as administrative consequences than the majority population. Implications for practice and directions for future research which highlight culturally responsive disciplinary practices are provided.

Authors

• Denise Katherine Whitford, Purdue University

• Darold H. Joseph, Northern Arizona University