We say suspension is “teaching them a lesson”… but what if it’s actually making everything worse?

Controversy:

Schools still rely heavily on zero-tolerance discipline—quick suspensions, no questions asked. But data shows it disproportionately affects Black students, students with disabilities, and kids from low-income backgrounds. Instead of correcting behavior, it often pushes students deeper into academic failure—or straight into the school-to-prison pipeline.

Educational Angle:

Experts are shifting toward trauma-informed teaching and restorative practices, asking not “What’s wrong with this student?” but “What happened to this student, and how can we repair it?” Instead of punishment, the focus becomes connection, reflection, and accountability.

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💬 Questions for the Comments:

1. Do you think suspensions actually change student behavior—or just delay the problem?

2. Should schools prioritize safety through strict discipline or healing through restorative practices?

3. What’s a better consequence than suspension that still teaches accountability?