The Harmful Effects Of School Suspensions: Evidence And Solutions

Felix Dubois

5 min read

Post on May 02, 2025

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The Academic Impact of School Suspensions

School suspensions significantly harm students' academic progress and long-term success. The lost instructional time and disruption to learning create a cycle of disadvantage that can be difficult to overcome.

Increased Absenteeism and Lower Grades

Suspensions directly contribute to increased absenteeism, leading to lower grades and overall academic performance.

• Increased likelihood of dropping out: Students facing frequent suspensions are at a much higher risk of dropping out of school before graduation.
• Difficulty catching up on missed coursework: The missed classes and assignments create an academic gap that is challenging to bridge, leading to further frustration and disengagement.
• Negative impact on GPA: Lower grades due to missed work and diminished academic engagement directly impact a student's GPA, affecting their future opportunities.

Research consistently demonstrates a strong correlation between suspensions and lower academic achievement. A study published in the Journal of Educational Research found that students suspended even once during the school year experienced a significant decrease in their GPA compared to their peers.

Negative Effects on Graduation Rates

The long-term consequences of school suspensions extend far beyond the immediate impact on grades. Students who are frequently suspended face a significantly increased risk of not graduating high school.

• Increased risk of unemployment: High school dropouts face substantially higher rates of unemployment and lower lifetime earnings.
• Lower lifetime earnings: The lack of a high school diploma limits career opportunities and results in a lower lifetime income.
• Reduced social mobility: The cycle of poverty and limited opportunities is often exacerbated by school suspensions, making social mobility significantly more challenging.

According to data from the U.S. Department of Education, students with multiple suspensions are considerably less likely to graduate on time, limiting their access to higher education and future career prospects.

The Social and Emotional Consequences of School Suspensions

Beyond the academic repercussions, school suspensions have profound and often devastating effects on students' social-emotional development and mental health.

Increased Behavioral Problems

Suspensions, rather than correcting behavior, often exacerbate existing behavioral issues and create new ones.

• Increased feelings of alienation: Students feel isolated and disconnected from their school community, leading to further resentment and acting out.
• Resentment towards authority: Suspensions can foster negative feelings towards teachers, administrators, and the school system as a whole.
• Potential involvement in criminal activity: Students who are excluded from school may become more susceptible to negative peer influences and involvement in criminal activities.

School suspensions can inadvertently reinforce negative behaviors, creating a vicious cycle of misbehavior and punishment.

Mental Health Implications

A strong correlation exists between school suspensions and various mental health challenges.

• Increased rates of depression: The isolation, stigma, and sense of failure associated with suspension can contribute to depression.
• Increased rates of anxiety: The fear of further suspensions and the disruption to their lives can lead to heightened anxiety levels.
• Increased risk of other mental health disorders: The cumulative effects of suspensions can increase the risk of developing other mental health problems.

Studies have consistently linked school suspensions to increased rates of depression, anxiety, and other mental health disorders, highlighting the urgent need for alternative approaches.

Impact on Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)

School suspensions significantly hinder the development of crucial social-emotional skills.

• Difficulty building positive relationships: Suspensions disrupt the development of positive relationships with peers and teachers.
• Reduced empathy: The focus on punishment rather than understanding and addressing the root causes of misbehavior limits the development of empathy.
• Lack of conflict-resolution skills: Suspensions do not teach students effective strategies for resolving conflicts and managing emotions.

Restorative justice practices, which focus on repairing harm and fostering dialogue, are crucial for promoting social-emotional learning and reducing the need for suspensions.

Effective Alternatives to School Suspensions

Moving beyond punitive measures, several effective alternatives can address student misbehavior while promoting positive learning environments.

Restorative Justice Practices

Restorative justice focuses on repairing harm caused by misbehavior, involving all stakeholders in a collaborative process.

• Focus on repairing harm: The emphasis shifts from punishment to making amends for the wrongdoings.
• Involving all parties in conflict resolution: Students, teachers, and other stakeholders work together to find solutions.
• Promoting accountability and empathy: Students are held accountable for their actions while also developing empathy for those affected.

Successful restorative justice programs have shown a significant reduction in suspensions and improved school climate.

Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS)

PBIS is a proactive approach to behavior management that aims to prevent misbehavior before it occurs.

• Proactive strategies to address behavioral issues: PBIS involves identifying and addressing the root causes of misbehavior.
• Positive reinforcement: Focusing on rewarding positive behaviors creates a more positive and supportive school climate.
• Individualized support for students: Students receive targeted interventions based on their individual needs.

PBIS implementation has been shown to significantly reduce the number of suspensions and improve overall school climate.

Increased Access to Mental Health Services

Providing adequate mental health support to students is crucial for addressing behavioral problems and reducing the need for suspensions.

• School counselors: Trained counselors provide support and guidance to students facing emotional or behavioral challenges.
• Social workers: Social workers help connect students and families with needed resources.
• Access to therapy: Early intervention and access to therapy can prevent escalation of mental health issues.
• Early intervention programs: Early detection and intervention can address problems before they escalate.

Addressing underlying mental health issues is crucial for reducing behavioral problems and creating a more supportive learning environment.

Conclusion

School suspensions have demonstrably harmful effects on students' academic, social-emotional, and mental well-being. The evidence clearly shows that suspensions perpetuate a cycle of disadvantage, leading to lower academic achievement, increased behavioral problems, and mental health challenges. Effective alternatives, such as restorative justice, PBIS, and increased access to mental health services, offer a more humane and effective approach to student discipline. Let's work together to reduce the reliance on school suspensions and create safer, more supportive learning environments for all students. Demand better alternatives to school suspensions in your schools and communities.