Pediatrics Group Raises Concerns About Schools Suspending Students In Special Ed

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The American Academy of Pediatrics says that suspension and expulsion often fail to improve behavior or school safety. (Mike Siegel/Seattle Times/TNS)

In a new policy statement, the American Academy of Pediatrics is speaking out about the harms of school suspensions and expulsions and their disproportionate impact on students with disabilities.

The group, which represents pediatricians nationwide, says that exclusionary discipline practices used to be only for the most serious situations, but are now primarily employed in response to “behaviors that are neither violent nor criminal.” Students with disabilities and those who are members of other marginalized communities are inordinately affected.

That’s putting children at risk of long-term consequences including higher odds of involvement with the justice system and dropping out of school, according to guidance issued this month.

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“There is little evidence that zero-tolerance school exclusion policies make schools safer or deter misbehavior, but they do create significant harms for the individual child’s mental and physical health,” said Dr. Susanna K. Jain, an author of the policy statement. “Schools are responsible for providing a safe learning environment for all students but it’s difficult for students to learn if they aren’t in the classroom.”

The policy statement points to data showing that the percentage of students suspended or expelled increased from 3.7% to 6.9% between 1973 and 2006.

Among students with disabilities, those with emotional disturbance, intellectual disability and children classified as having “other health impairment” such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder are most at risk for suspension and expulsion, according to the policy statement.

“Individual student factors, such as increased impulsivity, irritability and inability to anticipate consequences, likely play a role in how students with disabilities are disciplined in school,” the statement says.

Suspension and expulsion are particularly inappropriate during early childhood, according to the pediatrics group.

The guidance urges pediatricians to play an active role in assisting families of children at risk for or experiencing exclusionary school discipline. Physicians should screen children for behavioral and socioemotional issues that could put them at risk for this type of discipline and refer them to appropriate services. In cases where students have been suspended or expelled, medical providers can encourage caregivers to advocate for educational services while a student is away from school or challenge decisions that caregivers believe are inappropriate.

Pediatricians are also urged to advocate for alternatives to suspension and expulsion.

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