Against School Suspensions

16 U. Md. Law Journal of Race, Religion, Gender & Class (2016).

U of Maryland Legal Studies Research Paper No. 2017-2

10 Pages Posted: 8 Feb 2017 Last revised: 5 Apr 2017

See all articles by Deborah Thompson Eisenberg

Deborah Thompson Eisenberg

University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law

Date Written: February 7, 2017

Abstract

All too often, schools default to exclusionary punishments like suspensions for relatively minor and common adolescent behaviors that have nothing to do with safety. Studies have shown that suspensions do not work, may be counterproductive, and tend to be applied in a discriminatory way, impacting students of color more harshly. This piece argues that suspensions should be used only as a last resort, limited to situations that involve serious and imminent threats to safety. Instead of “zero tolerance” exclusionary discipline, schools should use proven strategies that promote engaged and safe learning environments.

Keywords: education, zero tolerance, exclusionary punishment, school suspensions, restorative communication, disciplinary philosophy, IDEA

Suggested Citation

Eisenberg, Deborah Thompson, Against School Suspensions (February 7, 2017). 16 U. Md. Law Journal of Race, Religion, Gender & Class (2016)., U of Maryland Legal Studies Research Paper No. 2017-2, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2913233

Deborah Thompson Eisenberg (Contact Author)

University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law ( email )

500 West Baltimore Street
Baltimore, MD 21201-1786
United States

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