School Discipline Disparities: Understanding How and Where Gaps Emerge and Efforts to Reduce Gaps

• In Event: Moscone Center West Roundtable Session 4

Session Type: Roundtable Session

Abstract

While the existence of discipline disparities is well documented, far less is known about the sources of discipline disparities and efficacy of interventions aimed at narrowing gaps. In addition to there being limited research on the causal mechanisms of discipline disparities, there is also limited descriptive evidence as to when and where discipline gaps emerge. This symposium brings together a set of studies using a rich variety of data sources to examine the contexts in which discipline gaps emerge, the role of educator bias in the development of discipline gaps, and evaluate the efficacy of a state policy solution. Together, these papers enrich our understanding of the complex processes by which discipline gaps develop and persist.

Sub Unit

• Division L - Educational Policies and Politics / Division L - Section 7: Social Context and Structural Inequalities

Chair

• Andrew McEachin, NWEA

Papers

• Threat and Punishment: Racial Context and School Discipline Disparities - Victoria Elyse Sosina, Stanford University

• Decomposing Disparities in Student Discipline by Race and Gender - Rachel M. Perera, Pardee RAND Graduate School

• Discipline Disproportionalities and the Effects of a Statewide Policy Limiting Exclusionary Discipline in Elementary School - Kaitlin Anderson, Lehigh University; Sarah C. McKenzie, University of Arkansas at Fayetteville

Discussants

• Thurston Domina, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill

• Constance A. Lindsay, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill