Striking the Tip of an Iceberg: A Critical Analysis of School Discipline and African American Special Education

Understanding the assignment: the lived experiences of Black girls at a predominantly white independent school

“…Tierney (2001) asserted that "private schools are less likely to get rid of students than public schools … public schools seem to have stricter [emphasis author's] disciplinary rules" (para 3). Payne and Burr (2023) concurred with Tierney's argument that public schools' reliance on exclusionary practices as a primary discipline strategy disproportionately impacts marginalized student groups, including Black girls. There is also a belief that when students are enrolled in private schools, problems, including those associated with ethnic, racial, and gender identity, are mitigated (Owens, 2019).…”

“…This training can help educators understand and address racial climate issues within their schools, as well as equip them with the skills to support students from diverse backgrounds. Additionally, Payne and Burr (2023) argued that an empathic mindset can be emphasized, where teachers work to understand students' feelings and build positive relationships, rather than resorting to punitive measures. Culturally responsive teaching can also be incorporated, which involves understanding different cultures and using appropriate teaching techniques that are familiar to students (Owens, 2023).…”

“…The history of education for Black children has been marked by challenges, mostly because of systemic racism. During the antebellum and Reconstruction eras, Black children faced significant obstacles in accessing education, due to slavery and segregation (Payne & Burr, 2023). Even after the landmark case of Brown v. Board of Education in 1954, which ended the segregation of public schools, Black schools still lacked adequate resources and funding.…”