Rethinking Discipline: Moving from Punishment to Rehabilitation

For years, school discipline has been dominated by zero-tolerance policies that rely on suspensions, expulsions, and punitive consequences. While these measures were intended to create safe and orderly schools, they have proven ineffective in addressing the root causes of student misconduct.

Research shows that exclusionary discipline increases dropout rates, leads to academic disengagement, and disproportionately impacts students from marginalized backgrounds (Losen & Martinez, 2020). Worse yet, studies indicate that suspensions often fail to change student behavior, increasing the likelihood of repeated infractions (Skiba et al., 2014).

As school administrators and governing board members, we must shift our approach and ask:

✅ Are our discipline policies helping students grow or just pushing them out?
✅ Are we using evidence-based interventions that address behavior effectively?
✅ How can we maintain school safety while keeping students engaged in learning?

Leaders should move away from traditional punishment and toward evidence-based, student-centered discipline models. New Policies Adoption should integrate progressive discipline, abeyance agreements, and restorative justice practices—strategies designed to promote personal growth, accountability, and long-term success.

Why Progressive Discipline Works: Data & Case Studies

What the Research Tells Us

📌 Schools that use progressive discipline strategies report up to a 40% decrease in suspensions (Gregory et al., 2016).

📌 Restorative justice programs have been shown to reduce repeat infractions by up to 60% (Jain et al., 2014).

📌 Students suspended just once in ninth grade are twice as likely to drop out of high school compared to their peers who are not suspended (Balfanz, Byrnes & Fox, 2015).

📌 Personal Skill Development programs—embedded in progressive discipline—increase academic performance by 11% while reducing behavior issues (Durlak et al., 2011).

The message is clear: To improve student behavior, we must go beyond punishment and address the underlying issues that lead to misconduct.

Case Study: Denver Public Schools’ Restorative Justice Initiative

Denver Public Schools (DPS) implemented a restorative justice model that significantly reduced suspensions and improved student outcomes. Between 2011 and 2016, DPS saw:

✔ 40% decline in out-of-school suspensions
✔ Decreased racial disparities in disciplinary actions
✔ Higher student engagement and improved school climate

Rather than punishing students for misconduct, DPS adopted peer mediation, conflict resolution training, and behavioral interventions. These practices not only reduced suspensions but also strengthened student-teacher relationships and improved academic performance(González, 2015).

Shifting to Abeyance Agreements: A Smarter Alternative to Suspension

What is an Abeyance Agreement?

An Abeyance Agreement allows students to avoid suspension or expulsion, by completing a structured intervention plan. Instead of being immediately removed from school, students must fulfill specific conditions such as:

✅ Counseling & Behavioral Health Support – Addressing issues like substance use, anger management, or trauma.
✅ Community Service – Engaging in meaningful projects that emphasize accountability.
✅ Academic Proficiency – Maintaining passing grades and completing all coursework.
✅ Attendance & Punctuality Improvement – Committing to a structured attendance improvement plan.
✅ Parental Involvement – Families participate in behavioral contracts and progress monitoring.

The original suspension is reduced or eliminated if the student completes the agreement. If they fail to meet the conditions, the suspension is enforced.

🔎 Research Insight: Schools implementing abeyance agreements and alternative discipline models have significantly lower suspension rates and improved student behavior (Fabelo et al., 2011).

Progressive Discipline Strategies That Work

1. Restorative Justice: Making Discipline a Learning Experience

Instead of exclusionary discipline, restorative justice prioritizes:

✔ Mediation Sessions – Facilitated discussions between students, staff, and impacted individuals.
✔ Behavioral Reflection Projects – Encouraging students to analyze the consequences of their actions.
✔ Restorative Circles – Students participate in structured conversations to repair relationships.

📌 Case Study: Oakland Unified School District saw a 47% decrease in suspensions and improved student trust when implementing restorative justice models (Jain et al., 2014).

2. Addressing Mental Health & Behavioral Needs

Research indicates that many discipline issues stem from underlying mental health struggles. Instead of punishment, Effective organizations  incorporate:

✔ Mandatory Counseling & Personal Skill Development Sessions
✔ Substance Abuse Prevention Programs
✔ Mentorship & Coaching

📌 Case Study: Schools that embed Personal Skill Development strategies reduce disruptive behavior by 20% and improve academic outcomes(Durlak et al., 2011).

3. Academic Probation & Attendance-Based Interventions

Rather than punishing students for academic struggles or truancy, Effective Leaders enforce the following:

📌 Academic Probation Contracts – Students must maintain a minimum GPA and attendance rate to participate in school activities.
📌 Residential Requirements for Chronic Absences – Students with excessive absences must live in the school’s residential program for structure and consistency.
📌 Daily Check-Ins with Counselors – Ensuring consistent academic engagement.

These interventions keep students accountable while providing the support needed to succeed.

4. Career Readiness & Community Rehabilitation

Instead of suspension, Effective Leaders offer:

✅ Career-Technical Education (CTE) Assignments – Teaching workplace behavior and soft skills.
✅ Cultural & Tribal Service Learning – Engaging students in projects reinforcing responsibility and cultural identity.
✅ Student Leadership & Governance Roles – Allowing students to rebuild trust through service.

📌 Research Insight: Hands-on learning reduces repeat offenses and increases student engagement (Losen & Martinez, 2020).

Why School Boards & Administrators Must Lead the Change

🚀 Reduces Suspension & Expulsion Rates – Keeping students in school where they can learn.
🚀 Improves Student-Teacher Relationships – Fostering mutual respect and accountability.
🚀 Increases Graduation & College Readiness – Preventing students from falling behind.
🚀 Enhances Equity & Inclusion – Ensuring discipline is fair and effective.
🚀 Creates Lasting Behavioral Change – Helping students develop lifelong skills for success.

We can transform student discipline from exclusion to growth and accountability by adopting progressive discipline and abeyance agreements.

🔹 Will your school embrace the change?

Final Thoughts & Next Steps

If you’re a school administrator, board member, or educator, now is the time to rethink discipline. The data is precise: punitive discipline doesn’t work, but progressive strategies do.

🔹 How can your school integrate these research-based approaches?
🔹 What changes will you advocate for in your district?

We invite you to join us in creating a future where student discipline is about rehabilitation, not exclusion.

Let’s make discipline about success, not punishment. 🚀

💬 Share your thoughts! What progressive discipline strategies are working in your school? Comment below!

📌 For more information on implementing these strategies, contact Dr. Christopher Bonn.