From Referrals to Suspensions: New Evidence on Racial Disparities in Exclusionary Discipline

Jing Liu (), Michael S. Hayes () and Seth Gershenson ()
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Jing Liu: University of Maryland
Michael S. Hayes: Rutgers University
Seth Gershenson: American University

No 14619, IZA Discussion Papers from Institute of Labor Economics (IZA)

Abstract: We use novel data on disciplinary referrals, including those that do not lead to suspensions, to better understand the origins of racial disparities in exclusionary discipline. We find significant differences between Black and white students in both referral rates and the rate at which referrals convert to suspensions. An infraction fixed-effects research design that compares the disciplinary outcomes of white and non-white students who were involved in the same multi-student incident identifies systematic racial biases in sentencing decisions. On both the intensive and extensive margins, minoritized students receive harsher sentences than their white co-conspirators. This result is driven by high school infractions and applies to all infraction types. Reducing racial disparities in exclusionary discipline will require addressing underlying gaps in disciplinary referrals and the sys tematic biases that appear in the adjudication process.

Keywords: intentional discrimination; office referrals; exclusionary discipline (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I2 J7 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 34 pages
Date: 2021-07
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-isf, nep-pke and nep-ure
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

Published - published in: Journal of Urban Economics , 2024, 141, 103453

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