Students Pushed out of School: How School Discipline Is a Selective Force Behind Student Turnover

• In Event: Organizational Effects Related to Discipline, Safety, and Equity

Abstract

This paper aims to uncover if and how levels of student disruptive behaviors influence the association between being subjected to disciplinary actions and transferring schools or dropping out of secondary education. Multilevel analyses were carried out on data of 1955 students in 25 Ghentian (Belgium) schools that participated in the International Study of City Youth (ISCY). Results indicate that school discipline is a driving force behind student turnover, more so for students with lower levels of disruptive behaviors. We suggest that these students feel like they are being treated unfairly and that these feelings prompt the decision to leave school.

Authors

• Emma Degroote, Ghent University

• Jannick Demanet, Ghent University

• Mieke Van Houtte, Ghent University