AAP: Suspensions and Expulsions Harm Students’ Mental and Physical Health
In an updated policy statement released on October 1, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) emphasized that suspensions and expulsions, some of the most severe punishments schools can impose, can lead to lifelong harmful consequences. Research from the past two decades shows that these actions do not necessarily deter bad behavior. In the 2020-2021 school year, 28% of students experienced multiple suspensions.
The AAP recommends that schools reduce exclusionary discipline practices by adopting trauma-informed approaches and analyzing discipline data to identify areas for improvement. The organization also suggests monitoring chronic absenteeism and screening for developmental disabilities, both of which can make school more challenging for students. Students from marginalized communities, particularly with disabilities students, are disproportionately affected by exclusionary discipline policies. This increases their likelihood of engaging in risky behaviors, such as drug use, fighting, or carrying weapons, which can result in further contact with the juvenile justice system.
A report published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also found that “unfair” school discipline practices are associated with various health risks, such as bullying, bringing weapons to school, prescription opioid use, and suicide attempts. The CDC noted that its report is the first to investigate the link between school discipline and health and well-being using a nationally representative sample of U.S. high school students.
The CDC emphasized, “Examining the relationship between discipline and health is essential for understanding and promoting health equity in schools. These findings suggest that school discipline is an urgent public health issue.” Last year, the U.S. Department of Education issued guidelines aimed at reducing disproportionate discipline through practices like fostering a positive school climate, increasing access to mental health services, and creating rigorous and welcoming learning environments.