School Strictness and Disproportionate Minority Contact

Abstract

There are racial and ethnic disparities associated with school discipline practices and juvenile justice contact. In addition, research suggests that stricter school discipline practices and disproportionate minority contact for minority youth are relatively more prevalent in urban areas. What remains unknown, however, is the relationship between race and ethnicity, school discipline practices, and juvenile justice referrals across urban, rural, and suburban schools. Therefore, this study draws from the Texas Education Agency's Public Education Information Management System to investigate the relationship between school discipline practices and juvenile justice contact with a focus on racial and ethnic disparities in urban, rural, and suburban schools. Findings indicate that both stringent and lenient school discipline practices have effects on juvenile justice referrals as well as racial and ethnic disparities across distinct school locations; however, there are important and distinctive nuances that are presented and examined.

Exploring the relationship between teachers' perceptions of cultural responsiveness, student risk, and classroom behavior

“…Black and Native American youth in particular are also more likely than their White peers to be identified to receive special education services for emotional disturbance (Bal et al, 2019; Donovan & Cross, 2002) and placed in more restrictive special education settings (Skiba et al, 2006). Exclusionary discipline and restrictive special education placements is associated with decreased academic achievement (Morris & Perry, 2016) and rates of school completion (Marchbanks & Blake, 2018; Oelrich, 2012), as well as an increased likelihood of contact with the justice system (Erickson, 2012; Noltemeyer et al, 2015).…”

Mattering Is the Minimum: An Editorial From AEQ’s Editors

“…Elsewhere, statistics in the United Kingdom provide clear evidence that BIPOC are more subjected to the police's "stop and search" actions (Ministry of Justice, 2018). While the relationships between social contexts, justice referrals, trends in incarceration, and racial and ethnic disparities are complex, empirical evidence supports the assertion that systemic discrimination directly contributes to the disproportionate disciplinary action against and incarceration of BIPOC (Marchbanks et al, 2018). Our field can contribute by working to improve correctional education (Davis et al, 2014).…”

A systematic review of the What Works Clearinghouse's behavioral intervention evidence: Does it relate to Black children

“…While it is well established that disproportionate school discipline results in increased implementation of ineffective zero-tolerance policies and potentially greater risk for contact with the juvenile justice system what is less well known are the causes of these issues (American Psychological Association Zero Tolerance Task Force, 2008; Marchbanks et al, 2018). Sources of this behavioral disproportionality vary; however, there are specific explanations in the research literature that have been suggested.…”