Written by: Kelly Amshey, Assistant Principal Rockford Public Schools Freshman Center

We have all been frustrated when issuing suspension to students when we know that the consequence does little to shape behavior.  In my experience, many students who “earn” suspensions are the most at-risk academically, requiring more time in the classroom, not less.

Students who require special education services, those who struggle with attendance, and those who are otherwise disengaged from school may be those who are suspended most frequently, undermining our goal of keeping them in class and supporting their educational outcomes.

For many individuals, adults in particular, life experience has taught us that tough consequences deter bad behavior and send the message that the behavior will not be tolerated.  The reality, however, is that a healthy dose of school suspension is not always the best medicine.  In fact, suspensions are rarely effective with persistent behaviors nor are they correlated with improved school climate.

School Suspensions

School suspensions certainly have their place when the physical and/or emotional safety of staff and/students is at risk, but the use of suspension is more often related to infractions that are unrelated to safety.

As an example, during my first year as a high school assistant principal, I found that many students were choosing to skip detention in order to earn the consequence of a 1-day suspension, in accordance with our school policy.  It quickly came to my attention that all of the students who chose to skip detention were at-risk in our school, whether due to academic failure, attendance issues, a need for special education services, or a combination of these factors. As a result, we developed a Saturday school program so that these students earned more time in school, instead of less.

Saturday school has also been a great consequence for other non-safety related issues such as repeated cell phone violations, unexcused absences from school, chronic tardies, theft or vandalism.  In many cases, the Saturday school consequence has been coupled with a restorative practice in lieu of a one-day suspension.  The restorative practice has the goal of repairing the harm done by the behavior, which is a much more impactful piece of the consequence as a whole.

Alternatives to Suspension

Other discipline alternatives that have been useful in my practice include loss of social time.  Whether before school, after school, during lunch, or a combination, the loss of social time can have a strong influence on some students.

Behavior contracts can be used in conjunction with discipline to target and deter the problem behavior.  For example, a student who is “mean” to others during passing time, will have an alternative passing time.  Another example would be a student who steals from the lunch line will not be allowed through the lunch line without direct supervision.

The least practical, but favorite “alternative consequence” has been the reverse suspension.  Occasionally students engage in suspension-worthy conduct at the very end of the school year.  In years’ past, these students have been suspended during exams or possible the start of the following year.  We now have these students report on summer days to serve their suspensions.  This can also work during this narrow time-frame and only when I am physically in the building, but this has been incredibly powerful and meaningful.

I am still on my journey of learning about the most effective practices for discipline, and probably always will be.  I have learned to consider consequences carefully, take risks and be creative, be clear with others about the consequences issued, be informed on related research, and to track data to support efforts in the future.

Kelly Amshey is an assistant principal in the Rockford High School Freshman Center and former science teacher.  She is passionate about providing an equitable learning environment to all students and promoting attendance and disciplinary policies that support student success in the classroom.  Kelly is also a proud wife and mother to three elementary-aged students.