Beyond the Breakfast Club: Variability in the Effects of School Sanctions by School Context

• In Event: Education, Punishment and Antisocial Behavior: Effects Across the Life Course

Abstract

There is emerging evidence that punitive school disciplinary practices cause more harm than good. In fact, rather than solve behavioral issues, overuse of exclusionary school sanctions like suspension can lower school morale, worsen academic achievement for the entire student body, and erode the legitimacy of authority figures. Exclusionary school sanctions also have a detrimental impact on student development. For example, suspension is associated with increased student misbehavior and school dropout. However, the impact that these sanctions have on students may vary based on the school climate, especially the rate at which the school engages in exclusionary discipline. To determine the effect of detentions and suspensions on students and whether these effects vary across contexts, we rely on a sample of nearly 4,000 students within 31 middle schools. We consider the consequences of these sanctions across several outcomes, including school commitment, academic achievement, deviant attitudes, and delinquent behavior. We also assess both the concurrent and delayed effects of these sanctions.

Authors

• Stephanie Wiley, University of Missouri - St. Louis

• Lee Slocum, University of Missouri - St. Louis