School suspensions: What are the long-term emotional impacts on students?

SALT LAKE CITY — Each year, millions of American kids are suspended or expelled from school.

But are short-term actions to punish or correct bad behavior in the classroom or schoolyard exacting a long-term cost on a student's mental health?

A recent research study says yes — offering evidence that prohibiting a student from attending school results in higher rates of depression in adolescence and into adulthood.

Over the past generation, so-called "zero-tolerance" policies have evolved in schools, resulting in exclusionary discipline for issues ranging from violence and weapon possession to less egregious behaviors such as disrespect, defiance or possessing alcohol.

Regardless of the reasons, researchers say suspending or expelling a student from school can prompt negative results.

First, of course, a boy or girl who is missing class isn't learning; they risk falling behind in their studies. Their relationships with teachers are also affected, and they are more likely to drop out of school and are far less likely to attend college. That impacts future earning potential.

Then there are social costs.

Studies reveal that students who are suspended or expelled are far less likely to participate in healthy, confidence-building extracurricular activities such as school sports and clubs.

There are also family strains. Parents can feel stigmatized when their child is expelled or suspended, and they may have to disrupt work schedules to look after a son or daughter who is prohibited from attending class.

The extreme consequence of suspending or expelling a student from school is increased criminal behavior. Some studies have found that exclusionary discipline can "serve as a turning point" to actions that result in arrests or incarceration, both as a juvenile and adult.

Now researchers at the University of Arkansas have found that students who are suspended or expelled report higher rates of depression during their teen years that stretch into adulthood.

Using the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health — an ongoing study of 20,000 people who were teens in the mid-1990s — the Arkansas researchers were able to track how often students who were suspended or expelled reported depression later in life.

Suspended or expelled adolescents "showed significantly higher depressive symptoms" — with rates of depression decreasing in their late teens and early 20s and then rising again in their early 30s, according to ScienceDaily.

Past research has established that adults who were exposed to stress during childhood often face physical or mental health challenges. But most of that research has focused on difficult childhood experiences at home, such as physical abuse or substance abuse by parents.

"We know very little about how these stressors in school shape long-term … mental health outcomes. So, this really is an entirely new line of research," said Michael Niño, a University of Arkansas associate professor of sociology and criminology and director of the Arkansas Health Equity and Access Lab.

Niño's collaborative research on the long-term impact of exclusionary discipline suspension has also shown that students who were suspended or expelled reported poorer physical health from adolescence through middle age.

"Broadly speaking, we definitely need discipline reform," said University of Arkansas researcher Alexia Angton in the ScienceDaily report. "What can we put into place toward lessening the effects of suspension and expulsion down the line?"

Utah's ground rules for school suspension or expulsion

So, what are the criteria for suspending or expelling a Utah student?

A July 2024 addition to the Utah Code articulates grounds for suspending or expelling a student from a public school.

A student, according to state law, "shall be suspended or expelled" for serious violations including possessing or threatening the use of a real weapon or explosive, violent or sexual misconduct or selling/distributing drugs.

Meanwhile, a student "may be suspended or expelled" for disobedience or defiant behavior, vandalism, threatening behavior or possessing alcohol or pornography.

The Utah Code also articulates provisions on how long a student can be removed from the classroom — including a possible yearlong expulsion for violations involving weapons, explosives or flammable materials.

Holding students accountable — without suspending/expelling

The American Academy of Pediatrics has jumped into the "school suspension-expulsion" debate, offering insights on how schools can build strong frameworks for discipline — without relying on suspensions and expulsions.

"Recent studies show the value of fostering strong relationships among teachers, staff, administrators, students and families in setting high standards for school behavior," according to a recent academy article.

First, the academy suggests, offer a "multitiered system or support" that "surrounds kids with positive energy" while offering examples of what adults expect from them and tools to do their best.

Other AAP recommendations include utilizing:

• A trauma-informed framework for understanding the difficulties a child faces outside school, putting negative behavior in perspective.
• Restorative practices that help students see the impact of their actions, requiring them to make things right with anyone they have harmed.
• Anti-bias training that helps teachers and staff avoid punishing some kids more harshly than others.

Parents can also play a central role in shaping how schools deal with disciplinary issues.

The academy also recommends pediatricians and family physicians take an active role by:

• Screening children for health issues or developmental delays that can make school harder.
• Referring families to local resources for therapy, treatment, nutrition, housing and other supports so children can do their best in school.
• Supporting new laws that require schools to keep students connected to school through distance learning and homework during suspensions.
• Speaking out for school-based mental health programs that offer easy access to wellness screening, counseling and support for all kids.

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