Alternatives to Suspension: What are they and why do we need them?
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Transcript of Alternatives to Suspension: What are they and why do we need them?
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Improving School Climate: Alternative Approaches to
Discipline
Karen Webber Ndour Office of Student Support and Safety
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Alternatives to Suspension: What are they and why do we
need them?
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MATH READING
Students Who Have Been Suspended Scored Lower on Tests
2013 MSA
NOTE: Beginning in 2009, Mod-MSA was reported with MSA totals
NOTE: Ns refer to the total number of students who took the MSA
31,471 2,009 893 31,516 2,021 901N =No
Suspensions 1 Suspension 2+ Suspensions
No Suspensions 1 Suspension 2+
Suspensions
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NOTE: *SY1213 suspension data are preliminary, unofficial, and subject to change
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SCHOOLS WITH HIGHER RATES OF SUSPENSION:
Lower academic quality ratings regardless of student demographics
Spend disproportionate time on discipline
Pay less attention to school climate
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Skiba ,R.J & Rausch, M.K. (2006). Zero tolerance, suspension, and expulsion: Questions of equity and effectiveness. In C.M. Evertson & C.S.
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Research indicates that Alternatives to Suspension:
Reduce school disciplinary problems Also increases and supports a positive school climate.
(Skiba ,R.J & Rausch, M.K. (2006). Zero tolerance, suspension, and expulsion: Questions of equity and effectiveness. In C.M. Evertson & C.S.)
CLIMATE AND ALTERNATIVES TO SUSPENSION
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WHAT WE THINK SUSPENSIONS ACCOMPLISH6
I L E A R N E D
M Y L E S S O N
I WILL NEVER DO IT
AGAIN
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WHAT SUSPENSIONS ACTUALLY ACCOMPLISH
I J U S T B E AT M Y H I G H
S C O R E
“Hey girl, What are you doing after school?”
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What are some of the most common ways that we respond to challenging behaviors
Sending students to the office
DetentionPlacing students outside the
classroom in the hallwaySuspension In-school Suspension Refusing to accept students
back in class without a parent teacher conference
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Shifting the MindsetThere is a need for adults to shift the way we think about student behavior.
Modeling the desired behavior actually has an impact
Appropriate behavior can actually be taught
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Moving from punitive...10
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...to restorative 11
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Punitive Responses Restorative Responses
Focusing on the offender
Assigning blame to the wrong doer
Imposing harsh punishment
Social Injury (shaming/ demoralizing)
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Addressing all persons harmed
Holding wrong doer accountable
Repairing the harm done/restitution
Becoming a stronger member of the community
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There are many successful alternative approaches to discipline
They all have these components in common
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Alternatives to
Suspension
Student Voice
Restorative
Accountability
Relationships
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Student Voice
“Too many schools operate under the false assumption that the quality and character of schools can be shaped by adults alone.”
(How Listening to Students Can Help Schools to Improve, Pedro A. Noguera, PhD. , professor New York University.)
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B A LT I M O R E S U N M A R C H 2 , 2 0 0 5
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RelationshipsAlternatives to Suspensions build:
Student-
student relationships
Adult-student relationships
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Gaylord, V., Quinn, M., McComas, J., & Lehr, C. (Eds.). (2005). Impact: Feature Issue on Fostering Success in School
(Skiba R.J., Peterson, R.L. & Williams, T. (January, 1999). The dark side of zero tolerance: Can punishment lead to safe schools? Phi Delta Kappan, 80(5), 372-381)
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Accountability
Students must understand what they did wrong.
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Restorative 1. Everyone
affected comes together
2. Everyone has a voice
3. Everyone agrees
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THE EFFECTS OF CLIMATE ON SUSPENSIONS
As positive climate increases
the need for suspensions decreases
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Questions
Comments
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WHAT ARE WE ALREADY DOING?20
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Alternatives to Suspension21
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School Climate
“There is considerable evidence that a history of school suspension does one of two things – either it puts a child on the path toward delinquency or it accelerates his journey there.”(Report of the Task Force on the Education of Maryland’s African American Males, 2006)
(Report of the Task Force on the Education of Maryland’s African American Males, 2006)
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ALTERNATIVES TO SUSPENSION IS A SHIFT IN THINKING
ALL STUDENTS CAN CHANGE
Take Aways
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