From the School Yard to the Squad Car: School Discipline, Truancy, and Arrest

Abstract

Since the 1990's, implementation of zero tolerance policies in schools has led to increased use of school suspension and expulsion as disciplinary techniques for students with varying degrees of infractions. An unintended consequence of zero tolerance policies is that school suspension or expulsion may increase risk for contact with the juvenile justice system. In the present study, we test how forced absence from school via suspension or expulsion and chosen absence from school (truancy) are associated with the likelihood of being arrested. Using month-level data from 6,636 months from a longitudinal study of delinquent adolescents (N = 1,354; 13.5 % female; 41.5 % Black, 33.5 % Hispanic-American, 20.2 % White), we compare the likelihood of being arrested, within individuals, for months when youth were and were not suspended or expelled from school and for months when youth were and were not truant. Finally, we test if these associations were moderated by stable demographic characteristics (sex, race, age, history of problem behaviors) and time-varying contextual factors (peer delinquency, parental monitoring, and commitment to school). Being suspended or expelled from school increased the likelihood of arrest in that same month and this effect was stronger among youth who did not have a history of behavior problems and when youth associated with less delinquent peers. Truancy independently contributed to the likelihood of arrest, but this association was explained by differences in parental monitoring and school commitment. Thus, school disciplinary action places youth at risk for involvement in the juvenile justice system and this may be especially true for less risky youth.

Exploring the Relationships between Perceptions of Peer Prejudice, School Attendance, and Academic Performance among Adolescent Youth

“…However, previous research [28,29] has identified perceived peer prejudice in school to be a factor related to negative experiences and behaviors in the school environment among adolescents including but not limited to unexcused absences and/or truancy, violence and aggression, and bullying [28][29][30].…”

Bullying Intervention in Adolescence: The Intersection of Legislation, Policies, and Behavioral Change

“…Adolescent bullies who are forcefully suspended from school are also more likely to become subsequently involved in the juvenile justice system (Fabelo et al 2011;Gonsoulin et al 2012;Wald and Losen 2003). Ironically, this may be especially true for adolescents with fewer behavioral problems prior to suspension (Monahan et al 2014). Several states have made even clearer moves towards criminalization, by modifying existing criminal law, or creating new crimes specific to bullying (Cornell and Limber 2015).…”

Heroin Usage: Impact on Student Performance and Truancy amongst High School Students

“…Schools need to emphasize that if students miss a certain number of days, they will be in danger of failing a class or facing other consequences, as students need to be accountable for their choices and behaviors [21].…”