Overcoming Disparities in Disciplinary Practices in Rural Schools

Abstract

Suspensions have been shown to harm the success of students (Wolf, 2016), especially in the use of suspensions towards students of color (Hammond, 2020). This study aims to examine the attitudes and biases of rural middle and high school administrators toward office discipline referrals (ODRs) and resulting disciplinary strategies. It also will examine the receptivity these administrators would have to future training on alternative disciplinary strategies that would contribute to the overall outcome of students. Our hypothesis is that since prior literature shows the prevalence of suspensions especially among students of color, administrators surveyed will show a propensity to suspend and expel (especially among students of color) and will have little knowledge of alternative strategies.