Beyond Suspension:

Practical, Proven Alternatives to Help Every Student Succeed

By Dr. Reneae Staley

Suspensions are a big problem. It's tough on everyone, and kids are often left feeling "Why am I so bad?" A recent WFYI article, "Why am I so bad?" Indiana Schools Suspend..., highlights the disproportionate impact of suspensions on students in special education, revealing a systemic issue that leaves many feeling misunderstood and ostracized. This challenging reality underscores why it's crucial for educators and administrators to delve into the complexities of student suspensions and collaborate on effective solutions, especially when the current situation feels overwhelming.

Why does it seem so difficult to find alternatives to suspension?

Administrator Challenges:

• Administrators feel as if there are no other options. They are responsible for a safe learning environment for their students and staff.  Some behavior is just not safe and they aren’t sure what else to do; often they’ve tried many interventions, strategies, or supports already.

  
  

• Prevention only strategies can make schools feel that success is unattainable. Programs like PBIS (Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports) and restorative practices are great, but they take a ton of time, people, and money that many schools just don't have. Plus, teachers might not have the right tools or training. When this is our only strategy to support behavior, administrators, teachers, students, and families often feel frustrated at a lack of progress when compared to the energy required to implement such programs.

  
  

Teacher Challenges:

• Teachers feel stuck. Behaviors escalate super fast, and often there's not enough time to calm things down before a “suspendable behavior” occurs.  They aren’t always able to predict or prevent an action or event that will serve as the antecedent of negative behavior because it’s not always possible.

  
  

Data Challenges:

• The suspension data is wonky. We need to look closer at the numbers – are they skewed? What about non-public schools? Is everything even being reported accurately? Are we using “apples to apples” comparisons when reviewing year end data?

Let's find better solutions than just suspending kids!

• Give schools lots of different ways to handle challenging behaviors.

• Figure out what really works for prevention, because PBIS isn't always enough.

• Make sure kids are in the best learning environment for them (Least Restrictive Environment/LRE).

• Get creative with solutions that fit each school. They don’t all have to be exactly the same.

• Do "Root Cause Analysis" with principals and district leaders to get to the bottom of why suspensions are happening.

• Offer specific training on topics like positive reinforcement, clear expectations, and data-driven improvements. Avoid “one and done” training. Ongoing training to support skills in behavior intervention is necessary to not only build capacity in staff but also to ensure consistency and fidelity in implementation.

• Add these ideas to special education audits or program evaluations.

10 Alternatives to Suspension:

While there are no magic potions or guaranteed strategies to ensure improved behavior, the research is out there to support the following practices. Try using these alternatives in various combinations instead of suspension to see student behavior begin a positive trend in your district, school, or classroom.

1. PBIS: Set clear rules and reward good behavior.

2. Restorative Practices: Fix harm and build relationships.

3. Social-Emotional Learning (SEL): Teach kids how to manage their feelings and get along with others.

4. Trauma-Informed Practices: Understand that past trauma can affect behavior.

5. Check-In/Check-Out (CICO): Quick daily chats and goal-setting for kids who need extra help.

6. Mentoring: Pair kids with supportive adults.

7. Skill-Building Groups: Teach kids how to handle anger or solve problems.

8. FBAs (Functional Behavior Assessments) and BIPs (Behavior Intervention Plans): Figure out why a behavior is happening and make a plan when disabilities impact a student’s behavior. You can also use FBAs and BIPs for students without disabilities.

9. Community Partnerships: Link kids up with mental health or tutoring services outside school.

10. Data-Driven Decisions: Look at the numbers to see what's working and what's not. Put your data on trial and be objective.

    
    

    

Getting started:

• Look at your current suspension data.

• Ask teachers and staff what they think.

• Get input from students and families too!

• Research what's worked in other schools.

• Visit schools that are doing well with alternatives.

• Start small with a pilot program.

• Make sure staff get ongoing training and support.

  
  

For success, remember these guiding principles:

• Build strong relationships between staff and students.

• Be consistent and clear with expectations.

• Keep training staff!

• Let students have a say in the rules.

  
  

Ultimately, we need to work together (administrators, teachers, families, community) to move past suspensions and make schools great places for all students to succeed.

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Resources:

1. Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) Website: The official PBIS.org website offers extensive research, implementation guides, and examples of how PBIS can be effectively used to reduce disciplinary issues and foster a positive school climate.

   
   

2. Restorative Justice in Education (RJE) Resources: Organizations like the International Institute for Restorative Practices (IIRP) provide valuable resources, training materials, and case studies on implementing restorative practices in schools as an alternative to punitive discipline.

   
   

3. Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) Website: CASEL is a leading organization in Social-Emotional Learning (SEL). Their website offers frameworks, research, and practical tools for integrating SEL into school curricula, which can significantly reduce behavioral challenges.

   
   

4. National Center on Safe Supportive Learning Environments (NCSSLE) Website: This U.S. Department of Education-funded center provides a wealth of information, data, and resources on creating positive school climates, including alternatives to suspension and strategies for supporting students' behavioral and mental health.

   
   

5. Child Mind Institute - Trauma-Informed Practices: The Child Mind Institute offers articles, guides, and webinars on understanding and implementing trauma-informed practices in educational settings. This resource helps educators recognize how trauma impacts behavior and respond in ways that support students' healing and learning.