Overview
In New York, students are suspended from schools in response to a wide range of behaviors, including minor infractions like being late to class and dress code violations. This form of punishment begins as early as Pre-Kindergarten. The overreliance on exclusionary discipline continues despite research that indicates suspensions are ineffective and harmful and that they deepen academic inequities, especially for students of color, those from low-income backgrounds, and students with disabilities. Some of the short- and long-term impacts of suspension on a child include:
- Lower math and reading scores
- Decreased school trust and identification with school
- Increased risk of drop out and criminal justice system involvement