Beginning in the 1970s, schools increasingly turned to exclusionary discipline practices in hopes of curbing disruptions and creating a safe learning environment.
By the 2011-2012 school year, nearly 3.5 million students (roughly 7% of all public school students nationwide) were suspended annually, resulting in a staggering loss of 18 million days of instruction.
The idea behind exclusionary discipline is simple: Remove disruptive students to preserve order. But the long-term consequences tell a different story.
Even more troubling, exclusionary discipline hasn’t affected all students equally. Since 1974, suspension rates for Black and Hispanic students have more than doubled.
Washington Post exclusive: A program to cut school suspensions in Chicago worked very, very well. Here’s how.
David Kirp and Washington Post staff writer Valerie Strauss discuss the promising impact of restorative practices shown in the Education Lab’s study in partnership with Chicago Public Schools.
Anjali Adukia on restorative practices in schools
Crime Lab affiliate Anjali Adukia joins the Probable Causation Podcast with Jennifer Doleac to discuss research on the use of restorative justice practices in schools.
Alternatives, Inc.: A move towards restorative practices in schools
Education Lab affiliate Anjali Adukia and Alternatives, Inc.’s Bessie Alcantara joined Gaynor Hall on WGN-TV Weekend Morning News to discuss the impacts of the implementation of restorative practices in Chicago Public Schools high schools.