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JUE Insight: From referrals to suspensions: New evidence on racial disparities in exclusionary discipline

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  • Liu, Jing
  • Hayes, Michael S.
  • Gershenson, Seth

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, Black and Hispanic students receive harsher sentences than their white co-conspirators. This result is driven by high school infractions and mainly applies to “more severe” infractions that involve fights or drugs. Reducing racial disparities in exclusionary discipline will require addressing underlying gaps in disciplinary referrals and the systematic biases that appear in the adjudication process.

Suggested Citation

  • Liu, Jing & Hayes, Michael S. & Gershenson, Seth, 2024. "JUE Insight: From referrals to suspensions: New evidence on racial disparities in exclusionary discipline," Journal of Urban Economics, Elsevier, vol. 141(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:juecon:v:141:y:2024:i:c:s0094119022000304
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jue.2022.103453
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Exclusionary discipline; Intentional discrimination; Office referrals;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I2 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education
    • J7 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Labor Discrimination

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