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Discipline is meant to create a safe and productive learning environment for all students. However, when it comes to students with disabilities, disciplinary practices can often be discriminatory and ineffective.
The way students with disabilities are disciplined in schools can have a drastic effect on their educational and personal success. Unfortunately, many students with disabilities are subject to disproportionate and inequitable consequences for the same offenses as their non-disabled peers.
We will explore the effects of discipline on students with disabilities and why we must create more equitable responses to challenging behaviors.
What are some common disciplinary actions?
When discussing the effects of discipline on students with disabilities, it is crucial to understand the different types of disciplinary action that can be taken. Each of these actions has a different impact on a student and understanding them is key to recognizing and addressing potential inequities.
Verbal Reprimands are used as an informal way to communicate behavioral expectations. Without awareness and specialized support, minor infractions can escalate to more serious offenses.
Temporary Removals involve removing a student from school for a set period of time. This can cause gaps in student learning and erase progress toward goals.
Expulsions are more severe and involve indefinitely removing a student from school. As a result, students who are expelled from school are at a greater risk to experience adversities, such as unemployment and incarceration.
Each of these disciplinary actions has unique consequences and must be considered when addressing discipline issues for students with disabilities.
How does discipline affect students with disabilities?
The discipline process can be unfair and disproportionately high for students with disabilities. Research has shown that these students are more likely to be subject to more severe consequences than their non-disabled peers.
Discipline is often used as a method of punishment rather than a way of teaching and learning essential skills. Using ineffective responses to correct unwanted behaviors can damage the self-esteem of a student with a disability and lead to further challenges in their educational development.
In addition, students with disabilities are more likely to be subjected to exclusionary disciplinary practices, such as suspension or expulsion, rather than more restorative measures. This can lead to an increase in failing grades, defiance, dropout rates, and the likelihood of contact with the juvenile justice system.
Due to their experiences with antiquated forms of disciplinary action, students with disabilities may also experience higher rates of isolation, targeting, and feelings of powerlessness.
How can we address these issues?
When addressing discipline issues with students with disabilities, it is important to focus on creating a more inclusive and supportive learning environment. Educators must strive to understand their students' unique needs and provide them with the necessary resources and support they need to succeed in school. Educators can also ensure that they implement consistent and fair discipline policies that do not disproportionately punish students with disabilities.
In addition, organizations like Student & Teacher Empowerment Group can provide additional support to teachers and students by creating educational programs and resources that help foster inclusion and acceptance for all learners. By working together to create an equitable learning environment for all students, together we can ensure that every student has access to quality education regardless of their ability level.
We understand that all students, including those with disabilities, need access to individualized learning opportunities that allow them to reach their full potential. To this end, we provide ongoing coaching to help teachers and school districts develop meaningful goals and a pathway to achieve them.
Our team collaborates with schools to explore strategies, interventions and supports that will enhance student learning. We provide expertise and guidance in crafting effective behavior plans that are data-driven, culturally responsive, and adhere to best practices.
By taking a collective approach, we can ensure that all students have equitable access to quality education, so they can reach their highest level of academic success.
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