Snap Judgments: Vulnerable Decision Points and Subjective Discipline Incident Referrals for Latinx Students

• In Event: School Discipline. Hard Truths: Continuing the Conversation About the Disproportionate Impact of Discipline Practices

Abstract

Disproportionate discipline, the overrepresentation of African American and Latinx students in school disciplinary actions, has led to students from these groups being suspended more frequently and for longer durations than their White peers. In this study, we analyzed extant discipline data from a large Pacific Northwest school district to (a) identify disproportionate discipline referral patterns and (b) pinpoint environmental factors to target when planning interventions to reduce the impact of implicit bias on educators’ responses to subjective discipline incidents (SDIs). Results indicated that Latinx students experienced a higher rate of SDI referrals in middle and high school (relative to their White peers) and as the school year progressed. Implications for school districts and future research directions are discussed.

Authors

• Jonathon P. Sanchez, Beaverton School District

• Keith Zvoch, University of Oregon