EdPolicyWorks Speaker Series: Richard Welsh

Are Neighborhoods to Blame for Inequities in School Discipline? Exploring the Relationship between Neighborhoods and Exclusionary Discipline

  • - EST
  • Holloway Hall (Bavaro Hall 116)

Abstract

Factors outside of school such as the neighborhoods where students live or the neighborhoods where schools are located may influence student outcomes. The bulk of prior research on how neighborhoods shape student outcomes has focused on student achievement. If and how neighborhoods shape educational equity phenomena such as school discipline has been relatively overlooked. The relationship between neighborhoods and school discipline has implications for the scope and strategic approach of school discipline reform as well as the knowledge base on how neighborhoods influence K-12 education.

In this presentation, I conceptually and empirically explore the relationship between neighborhoods and exclusionary discipline (particularly office discipline referrals and suspensions). I draw on theories spanning multiple fields to outline how neighborhoods shape the behavior of key actors in the disciplinary process in schools. Next, I use data from New York City Public Schools to explore whether neighborhoods are related to the likelihood of being referred to the office and suspended and if so through what mechanisms.

EdPolicyWorks Speaker Series Richard Welsh Photo

Speaker Bio

Richard O. Welsh is an associate professor of education and public policy in the Peabody College of Education and Human Development at Vanderbilt University. His research is focused on understanding and transforming inequality in K-12 education. He is the founding director of the School Discipline Lab.

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  • EdPolicyWorks