Disproportionality in School Disciplinary Practices: Findings from a Policy Surveillance

Abstract

The central problem investigated in this dissertation is the role that policy plays in ameliorating the deleterious effects of exclusionary practices and inequities in discipline. This research utilized policy surveillance as a research technique to illuminate that the current nature of existing school district policies may be exacerbating or mitigating disproportionality in disciplinary practices. Conducted on a large county in Washington State, the sample included 17 school districts that serve a diverse population ranging from both urban and rural locals. This dissertation comprises six chapters. Chapter one offers an introduction to disciplinary practices in the United States and current policy efforts in place to identify, address and reduce disparities, promote equity and protect the civil rights of students. It looks at contributing factors, implications of educational disparities and the role that policy plays in promoting equity. Chapter two describes the first part of the study, and explores the relationship between acknowledging disproportionality in discipline in policy and disciplinary rates by race/ethnicity. Chapter three examines the strategies used by the districts that acknowledge disproportionality in disciplinary practices to ameliorate disparity and their application in practice. Chapter four acknowledges the role that policy plays in addressing inequities from a public health perspective. Finally, chapter five addresses implications for future research and the role that nurses play in advancing policy research and practice to improve population health outcomes.