Alternatives to Exclusionary School Discipline: Addressing Barriers to Implementation of Evidence-Based Strategies

• In Event: Researcher and Practitioner Perspectives on School Safety

Abstract

School districts across the United States face mounting pressure to curb the excessive and uneven use of suspensions and expulsions without compromising school safety. Two alternative disciplinary approaches that are especially promising and prevalent are Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) and restorative justice. However, weak and partial implementation are a common problem, especially in high schools. This paper synthesizes research across multiple disciplines in order to highlight important barriers to implementation of these strategies including resilient punitive cultures, unwieldy staff workloads and schedules, and inadequate funding and administrator support. Empirically‐grounded strategies for overcoming these barriers are also discussed.

Authors

• Paul Hirschfield, Rutgers University

• Aaron Kupchik, University of Delaware