Threat and Punishment: Racial Context and Disparities in School Discipline

• In Event: 3169 - Race and Segregation

Abstract

Black and Latino students are disciplined more frequently than their white counterparts. Several studies use racial threat theory to explore the role context may play in persisting disparities. Most prior studies have focused almost exclusively on black-white disparities without considering the dynamics of different types of racial threat that may motivate behavior. This study seeks to address this gap by asking: How is racial context related to racial disparities in exclusionary school discipline for black and Latino students? Preliminary results suggest that economic threat may be particularly relevant in explain school discipline disparities. For Latinos, differing patterns highlight the need for new theorizing that considers ethno-racial variation.

Author

• Victoria Elyse Sosina