Rethinking School Discipline: The Negative Impact Of Suspensions

Felix Dubois

5 min read

Post on May 02, 2025

4.8

Share

Academic Consequences of Suspensions

Suspensions inflict significant damage on a student's academic trajectory, often leading to a cascade of negative consequences. The negative impact of suspensions extends far beyond just a few missed days of class.

Increased Absenteeism and Falling Behind

Suspensions directly contribute to increased absenteeism, causing students to miss crucial instruction, tests, and assignments. This lost learning time is difficult, if not impossible, to recover.

• Missed instruction: Students miss vital lessons, impacting their understanding of core concepts and hindering their ability to keep pace with their peers.
• Difficulty catching up: The workload of missed assignments and the need to understand complex material independently creates a significant challenge for students already struggling.
• Snowball effect: Falling behind in one subject can trigger a domino effect, impacting performance in other areas and ultimately leading to disengagement from school altogether. The negative impact of suspensions on academic performance is cumulative and detrimental to long-term academic success. This ultimately increases the likelihood of grade decline and contributes to higher dropout rates. The lost learning and academic setbacks significantly impact future academic and career prospects. Keywords: academic performance, missed school days, grade decline, dropout rate, learning loss.

Negative Impact on Graduation Rates

A strong correlation exists between school suspensions and lower graduation rates. Students who are frequently suspended are significantly more likely to drop out of school before completing their education.

• Statistical evidence: Numerous studies have demonstrated a clear link between the frequency of suspensions and reduced likelihood of graduating high school.
• Impact on future opportunities: Failing to graduate high school severely limits access to higher education, meaningful employment, and overall life opportunities. The long-term consequences of school suspensions can have profound and lasting effects on a student's future. Keywords: graduation rates, higher education, future prospects.

Social and Emotional Impacts of Suspensions

Beyond the academic realm, school suspensions inflict substantial social and emotional damage on students, often exacerbating existing challenges and creating new ones.

Increased Risk of Delinquency and Criminal Behavior

Suspension can isolate students, pushing them towards negative peer groups and increasing their risk of involvement in delinquency and criminal behavior.

• Social isolation: Removed from the structured environment of school, students may find themselves more vulnerable to negative influences.
• Risky behaviors: Studies show a correlation between suspension and increased involvement in substance abuse, gang activity, and other risky behaviors.
• Future criminal activity: The cyclical nature of suspension and subsequent negative experiences can contribute to a pattern of escalating behavioral problems and future criminal activity. Keywords: youth crime, risk factors, delinquency, behavioral problems, social isolation.

Mental Health Implications

The emotional toll of suspension on students is significant, often leading to increased anxiety, depression, feelings of alienation, and reduced self-esteem.

• Emotional distress: The experience of being suspended can be deeply humiliating and damaging to a student's sense of self-worth.
• Mental health challenges: Suspension can exacerbate existing mental health conditions and contribute to the development of new ones, such as anxiety and depression.
• Impact on self-esteem: The feeling of being rejected and punished can severely impact a student's self-esteem and confidence, hindering their ability to thrive academically and socially. Keywords: mental health, anxiety, depression, emotional well-being, student mental health.

Alternative Discipline Strategies: Moving Beyond Suspensions

Rather than relying on suspensions, schools should adopt alternative discipline strategies that address student behavior effectively while promoting positive relationships and supporting student well-being.

Restorative Justice Practices

Restorative justice practices focus on repairing harm caused by wrongdoing through dialogue, collaboration, and accountability. This approach moves away from punitive measures and aims to foster understanding and reconciliation.

• Conflict resolution: Restorative justice provides a structured process for resolving conflicts and repairing relationships between the student, the victim (if any), and the school community.
• Positive relationships: By emphasizing dialogue and empathy, restorative justice builds positive relationships and a stronger sense of community within the school.
• Reduced suspensions: Implementation of restorative justice practices has shown a significant reduction in suspensions and other disciplinary actions. Keywords: restorative justice, conflict resolution, positive discipline, alternative discipline, school climate.

Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS)

PBIS is a proactive approach to school-wide behavior management that emphasizes positive reinforcement and prevention rather than punishment.

• Proactive strategies: PBIS focuses on teaching and reinforcing positive behaviors, creating a school climate where students feel safe, supported, and respected.
• Data-driven approach: PBIS utilizes data to identify trends in student behavior and develop targeted interventions.
• Improved school climate: Schools that implement PBIS often see significant reductions in disciplinary incidents and improvements in overall school climate. Keywords: PBIS, positive behavior support, behavior management, school-wide positive behavior support.

Conclusion: Rethinking School Discipline for a Brighter Future

School suspensions have demonstrably negative academic, social, and emotional consequences for students. The evidence overwhelmingly supports the need to rethink school suspensions and adopt alternative discipline methods that promote positive behavior, restorative justice, and student well-being. Improving school discipline requires a fundamental shift in approach, moving away from punitive measures towards strategies that foster positive relationships, address the root causes of misbehavior, and create safer and more supportive learning environments. We must advocate for change in our schools and communities by contacting school boards, supporting initiatives promoting positive behavior interventions, and engaging in broader discussions about school discipline reform. Let's work together to create schools where all students can thrive. Rethinking school suspensions is not just an option; it’s a necessity for a brighter future for our students.