The Negative Impacts Of School Suspension On Student Outcomes

7 min read Post on May 03, 2025

The Negative Impacts Of School Suspension On Student Outcomes

Academic Consequences of School Suspension

School suspension directly undermines a student's academic progress in several significant ways. The immediate impact is undeniable.

Increased Absenteeism and Grade Decline

Missed classes: Suspension means missed lectures, assignments, and crucial classroom interactions. Catching up becomes an uphill battle, often leaving students feeling overwhelmed and behind their peers.
Difficulty catching up: The lost instructional time is rarely easily recouped. The resulting academic gap can significantly impact grades and overall academic performance.
Impact on GPA: Lower grades due to missed coursework and difficulty catching up directly affect a student's Grade Point Average (GPA), potentially impacting college applications and future opportunities.
Increased risk of grade repetition: Students who fall significantly behind due to suspension are at a substantially higher risk of having to repeat a grade. This further delays their educational progress and can create a cycle of academic struggle.

Studies consistently demonstrate a strong negative correlation between school suspension rates and academic achievement. Students facing frequent suspensions show significantly lower GPAs and standardized test scores compared to their peers.

Negative Impact on Standardized Test Scores

The detrimental effects of school suspension extend to standardized testing. Students facing suspensions often perform poorly on high-stakes assessments like the SAT and ACT. This is attributed to several factors:

Missed review: Suspension often coincides with crucial review periods before standardized tests, robbing students of valuable preparation time.
Stress and anxiety: The emotional distress associated with suspension significantly impacts focus and concentration, hindering performance on high-pressure exams.
Disrupted learning: Consistent absences due to suspension create significant gaps in knowledge and understanding, making it difficult to succeed on standardized tests that assess cumulative learning.

Research consistently highlights the link between school suspension and lower scores on standardized tests, emphasizing the long-term academic consequences of this disciplinary approach.

Increased Risk of Dropping Out

Perhaps the most alarming consequence of school suspension is the increased likelihood of dropping out of school. The feeling of alienation, coupled with academic struggles and a lack of support, often leads to disengagement and ultimately, leaving school entirely.

Alienation and disengagement: Frequent suspensions can make students feel isolated, unwelcome, and disconnected from their school community.
Lack of support: Suspended students often lack the necessary support systems to help them navigate their academic and emotional challenges.
Cycle of failure: Repeated suspensions can create a self-perpetuating cycle of failure, leading students to believe that school is not a place for them.

The statistics paint a stark picture: students with a history of suspension are significantly more likely to drop out of high school, limiting their future educational and career opportunities.

Social and Emotional Consequences of School Suspension

Beyond the academic realm, school suspension wreaks havoc on a student's social and emotional well-being. The consequences can be profound and long-lasting.

Increased Behavioral Problems

Counterintuitively, suspension can exacerbate behavioral problems rather than addressing them.

Cyclical nature of suspension and misbehavior: Suspension often acts as a negative reinforcement, potentially leading to a cycle of misbehavior and subsequent suspension.
Lack of positive reinforcement: The time spent out of school deprives students of positive reinforcement and opportunities for skill-building.
Increased aggression or defiance: Feeling alienated and unsupported, some students may exhibit increased aggression or defiance upon returning to school.

Instead of solving behavioral issues, suspension can inadvertently worsen them, leading to a pattern of escalating disciplinary actions.

Damage to Self-Esteem and Mental Health

Suspension carries a substantial emotional toll. The isolation, shame, and sense of failure can severely damage a student's self-esteem and mental health.

Feelings of shame and isolation: Being removed from the school community can lead to feelings of shame, isolation, and inadequacy.
Increased risk of depression and anxiety: The stress and emotional turmoil associated with suspension can significantly increase the risk of depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues.
Long-term psychological impact: The negative emotional consequences of suspension can have a significant and long-lasting impact on a student's psychological well-being.

The impact on mental health is a critical consideration, often overlooked in the discussion of school discipline.

Strain on Family Relationships

School suspension also impacts family dynamics. The burden falls on parents who must navigate the challenges of supporting a child facing disciplinary action.

Increased stress and conflict: Suspension creates stress and conflict within families as parents attempt to manage the academic, emotional, and logistical challenges.
Potential financial burden: Parents may face lost income due to having to take time off work to support their child, adding to the financial strain.
Challenges in supporting a child facing suspension: Supporting a child struggling with suspension requires significant time, energy, and resources, putting a strain on family relationships.

The ripple effects of suspension extend beyond the individual student, impacting the entire family unit.

Alternative Approaches to School Discipline

Fortunately, there are more effective and humane alternatives to school suspension that can address behavioral issues while supporting student success.

Restorative Justice Practices

Restorative justice focuses on repairing harm and addressing the root causes of misbehavior, rather than simply punishing students.

Mediation and conflict resolution: Restorative justice practices involve bringing together students, victims, and community members to discuss the impact of misbehavior and develop solutions.
Emphasis on repairing harm: The focus is on repairing the harm caused by the misbehavior, rather than simply punishing the student.
Improved school climate: Restorative justice practices promote a more positive and supportive school climate, fostering a sense of community and belonging.

This approach promotes accountability and responsibility while fostering positive relationships.

Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS)

PBIS is a proactive approach that focuses on preventing misbehavior and creating a positive school environment.

Positive reinforcement: PBIS emphasizes positive reinforcement to encourage positive behavior and create a supportive classroom environment.
Clear expectations and consistent discipline: Clear expectations and consistent discipline are vital components, ensuring fairness and transparency.
Reduced need for suspension: By proactively addressing behavioral issues, PBIS significantly reduces the need for suspension.

This framework helps create a supportive school environment where students feel safe, respected, and supported.

The Role of Mental Health Support in Schools

Providing adequate mental health services within schools is paramount. Early intervention and support can significantly reduce the need for disciplinary actions.

Link between mental health issues and misbehavior: Many behavioral issues stem from underlying mental health concerns, requiring professional intervention and support.
Early intervention and support: Early identification and intervention for mental health challenges can significantly prevent escalation and reduce the need for suspension.
Access to counselors and therapists: Providing access to qualified counselors and therapists within schools ensures that students receive the necessary support to address their mental health needs.

By addressing the underlying causes of misbehavior, we can foster a more positive, supportive learning environment.

Conclusion

The evidence overwhelmingly demonstrates the severe negative impacts of school suspension on student outcomes. From decreased academic performance and increased risk of dropping out to damaged self-esteem and strained family relationships, the consequences are far-reaching and detrimental. We must move away from punitive measures and embrace alternative approaches like restorative justice and PBIS, coupled with robust mental health support within schools. By investing in positive behavioral interventions and creating supportive learning environments, we can better equip our students for success and foster thriving school communities. Learn more about the detrimental effects of school suspension and advocate for positive change in your school district. Let's work together to replace school suspension with more effective, supportive alternatives, ensuring a brighter future for all students.