The Negative Consequences Of School Suspension On Students

Rajiv Sharma

5 min read

Post on May 02, 2025

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Academic Setbacks Caused by School Suspension

School suspension significantly disrupts a student's education, leading to substantial academic setbacks. The lost instructional time directly translates to learning gaps that can be incredibly difficult to overcome. This is especially true for students already struggling academically. The impact of suspension on academic performance is multifaceted:

• Missed classes and instruction leading to significant learning gaps: Even a short suspension can result in missing crucial lessons, assignments, and assessments, leaving students behind their peers.
• Difficulty catching up on missed material, resulting in lower grades: The sheer volume of missed work can be overwhelming, making it challenging for students to catch up, often leading to lower grades and a decline in overall academic performance.
• Increased risk of failing courses and dropping out of school: Repeated suspensions can create a cycle of academic failure, increasing the likelihood of students failing courses and ultimately dropping out of school.
• Negative impact on standardized test scores and overall academic achievement: The cumulative effect of missed instruction and increased stress associated with suspension can significantly impact standardized test scores and overall academic achievement.
• Correlation between suspension and increased truancy: Suspension can normalize absenteeism, increasing the likelihood of future truancy and further academic decline.

Research consistently demonstrates a strong correlation between suspension and decreased academic performance. Studies have shown that students with multiple suspensions are significantly more likely to experience lower grades, repeat a grade, and ultimately drop out of high school. The cumulative effect of repeated suspensions can have devastating long-term consequences.

Social and Emotional Impacts of Suspension

Beyond the academic realm, school suspension has profound social and emotional impacts on students. The isolation and stigma associated with suspension can significantly damage a student's mental health and well-being. These negative consequences include:

• Increased feelings of isolation, loneliness, and alienation: Being removed from the school environment can lead to feelings of isolation, loneliness, and a sense of disconnect from peers and teachers.
• Heightened risk of depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues: The stress and emotional distress associated with suspension can trigger or exacerbate existing mental health issues, leading to depression, anxiety, and other problems.
• Strained relationships with peers and teachers: Suspension can damage relationships with both peers and teachers, creating a sense of mistrust and hindering the student's ability to reintegrate into the school community.
• Increased likelihood of engaging in risky behaviors and delinquency: Feeling alienated and disconnected from school can increase the likelihood of students engaging in risky behaviors, including substance abuse, delinquency, and violence.
• Damage to self-esteem and sense of belonging: Suspension can significantly damage a student's self-esteem and sense of belonging, making it more difficult for them to thrive academically and socially.

The psychological impact of suspension is substantial, often resulting in long-term mental health challenges. Studies have also linked suspension to increased rates of delinquency and involvement in the juvenile justice system.

The School-to-Prison Pipeline and Suspension

School suspension plays a significant role in the school-to-prison pipeline, a disturbing trend where students are pushed out of the education system and into the juvenile justice system. This is particularly true for minority students, who are disproportionately suspended compared to their white peers. Key aspects of this concerning connection include:

• Increased likelihood of contact with the juvenile justice system: Suspension can create a cycle of negative consequences, increasing the likelihood of students encountering the juvenile justice system.
• Disproportionate impact of suspension on minority students, contributing to the school-to-prison pipeline: Racial disparities in suspension rates highlight systemic biases within school disciplinary practices.
• The cyclical nature of suspension and subsequent involvement with law enforcement: Suspension can be a gateway to further involvement with the law, creating a self-perpetuating cycle.

Understanding the school-to-prison pipeline and addressing the disproportionate impact of suspension on minority students is crucial for creating more equitable and just educational systems.

Alternative Approaches to School Discipline

Instead of relying on suspension, schools should embrace alternative approaches to school discipline that focus on restorative practices and positive behavior interventions. These strategies aim to address the root causes of misbehavior, repair harm, and promote positive relationships within the school community. Examples include:

• Restorative justice practices that focus on repairing harm and promoting reconciliation: Restorative justice involves bringing together the student, victim, and community to address the harm caused and find solutions collaboratively.
• Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) to prevent problem behaviors: PBIS focuses on teaching positive behaviors and providing support to students who are struggling.
• Conflict resolution strategies to address issues peacefully: Teaching students effective conflict resolution skills empowers them to resolve disagreements peacefully and respectfully.
• Emphasis on addressing the root causes of misbehavior: Understanding and addressing the underlying reasons for misbehavior is key to preventing future incidents.

Schools that implement these alternative strategies often see a significant reduction in suspensions and improved school climate. These approaches foster a more supportive and inclusive learning environment where students feel valued and respected.

Conclusion

The negative consequences of school suspension on students are undeniable. From significant academic setbacks to severe social and emotional distress, suspension's impact extends far beyond the immediate disciplinary action. The disproportionate impact on minority students further exacerbates existing inequalities, contributing to the damaging school-to-prison pipeline. It's imperative that schools move away from punitive measures like suspension and embrace alternative disciplinary strategies, such as restorative justice and PBIS, which focus on repairing harm, fostering positive relationships, and creating supportive learning environments. Let's work together to reduce the harmful effects of school suspension and create a more supportive and equitable learning environment for all students.