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Exploring the Impact of School Discipline on Racial Disproportion in the Juvenile Justice System

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  • Sean Nicholson‐Crotty
  • Zachary Birchmeier
  • David Valentine

Abstract

It is widely recognized that African‐American youth are significantly overrepresented in many juvenile justice systems relative to their population percentages. Research has also determined that similar disproportion exists in school discipline and speculated about a “school‐to‐prison pipeline” for minority youth. Objective. This study explores empirically the degree to which disciplinary decisions made in schools can help to explain observed rates of disproportionate minority contact with juvenile courts. Methods. It does so in an assessment of education and justice system data from a sample of counties in Missouri. Results. The findings suggest that racial disproportion in out‐of‐school suspensions, which cannot be explained solely by differences in delinquent behavior, is strongly associated with similar levels of disproportion in juvenile court referrals. The association between disproportionate patterns of school discipline and court referrals persists after controlling for poverty, urbanization, and other relevant factors. Conclusions. The implication is that school‐based programs that offer alternatives to suspension and expulsion and promote disciplinary equity may help alleviate racial disproportion in the juvenile justice system.

Suggested Citation

  • Sean Nicholson‐Crotty & Zachary Birchmeier & David Valentine, 2009. "Exploring the Impact of School Discipline on Racial Disproportion in the Juvenile Justice System," Social Science Quarterly, Southwestern Social Science Association, vol. 90(4), pages 1003-1018, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:socsci:v:90:y:2009:i:4:p:1003-1018
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1540-6237.2009.00674.x
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    Cited by:

    1. Rocque, Michael & Snellings, Quincy, 2018. "The new disciplinology: Research, theory, and remaining puzzles on the school-to-prison pipeline," Journal of Criminal Justice, Elsevier, vol. 59(C), pages 3-11.
    2. Summersett, Faith C. & Jordan, Neil & Griffin, Gene & Kisiel, Cassandra & Goldenthal, Hayley & Martinovich, Zoran, 2019. "An examination of youth protective factors and caregiver parenting skills at entry into the child welfare system and their association with justice system involvement," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 99(C), pages 23-35.
    3. Huang, Francis L. & Cornell, Dewey G., 2017. "Student attitudes and behaviors as explanations for the Black-White suspension gap," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 73(C), pages 298-308.
    4. Behnken, Monic P. & Abraham, W. Todd & Cutrona, Carolyn E. & Russell, Daniel W. & Simons, Ronald L. & Gibbons, Frederick X., 2014. "Linking early ADHD to adolescent and early adult outcomes among African Americans," Journal of Criminal Justice, Elsevier, vol. 42(2), pages 95-103.
    5. Piscitello, Jennifer & Kim, Youn Kyoung & Orooji, Marmar & Robison, Samuel, 2022. "Sociodemographic risk, school engagement, and community characteristics: A mediated approach to understanding high school dropout," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 133(C).
    6. Huang, Francis L. & Cornell, Dewey, 2018. "The relationship of school climate with out-of-school suspensions," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 94(C), pages 378-389.
    7. Hopson, Laura M. & Lee, Eunju & Tang, Ning, 2014. "A multi-level analysis of school racial composition and ecological correlates of academic success," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 44(C), pages 126-134.
    8. Dong, Beidi & Krohn, Marvin D., 2020. "The effects of parental school exclusion on offspring drug use: An intergenerational path analysis," Journal of Criminal Justice, Elsevier, vol. 69(C).
    9. Kayama, Misa & Haight, Wendy & Gibson, Priscilla A. & Wilson, Robert, 2015. "Use of criminal justice language in personal narratives of out-of-school suspensions: Black students, caregivers, and educators," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 51(C), pages 26-35.

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