Protecting Students’ Civil Rights

The Federal Role in School Discipline

“Research shows that discriminatory discipline practices have a significant negative impact on students of color, students with disabilities, and other historically underserved students. These practices often take shape as a result of zero-tolerance policies that apply strong punishments for particular infractions—including removing students from the classroom or school via suspensions and expulsions. Many districts and schools apply these policies to nonviolent and more subjective offenses, such as ‘willful defiance,’ talking in class, tardiness, or truancy. Research shows that these policies result in negative consequences for student academic achievement, attainment, and welfare.”

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See additional resources around school discipline and ending the school-to-prison pipeline at endzerotolerance.org.