Examining Discipline Disproportionality in Montessori and Non-Montessori Title I Schools

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session 8
  In Roundtable Session: Montessori Education SIG Roundtable

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare overall suspension rates and rates of racial discipline disproportionality in Montessori and non-Montessori Title 1 Schools. We identified our sample using propensity score matching based on school-level characteristics and measured discipline disproportionality using both the relative rate ratios and risk differences for White, Black, and Hispanic student suspension rates. Results indicate that overall suspension rates are lower in Montessori schools, although rates of discipline disproportionality are not similarly improved in the Montessori schools. This study offers the most in-depth evaluation of Montessori disciplinary practices to date, and it highlights the importance of using multiply measures of discipline disproportionality in education research more generally.

Author

• Lee Leboeuf, University of Virginia