Differential Policing to Differential Disciplining: Discipline Disparities in Missouri's Public Schools

• In Event: Policing, Discipline Disparities, and Race in Schools

Abstract

The recent killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and multiple members of the African American community across the United States have led to a national movement for racial justice. Concerns over the unfair treatment of Black students in schools are not limited to school police officers. Over the past decade, activists have voiced concerns that school discipline policies were employed disproportionately against Black students. Using school level data (N = 2184) this study explored disparities in school suspensions and characteristics of schools that are likely to depend on school suspensions. Findings revealed that schools that largely serve less affluent neighborhoods and larger racial minorities had significantly higher rates of suspensions than their counterparts. Implications for policies and practice are discussed.

Authors

• Habiba A Ibrahim, Saint Louis University

• Gary W. Ritter, Saint Louis University