Unjust Schools: Uncovering the racial disparities in school discipline

This training will address the need for culturally responsive disciplinary practices to dismantle inequities in educational settings. The disproportionate and differential use of exclusionary action against Black, Latinx, and Native American children is the racial school discipline crisis. While excessive exclusion occurs throughout the educational continuum, early childhood expulsions and suspensions are a growing concern and are linked to further problems in kindergarten and beyond. Behavior Analysts are often tasked with addressing and reducing the behavioral concerns of students, yet there is a gap in the behavior analytic literature on racism in schools. Bringing awareness to the connection between racism and American schooling is an initial step for behavior analysts to contribute to the dismantling of oppressive systems within education. The presenter will introduce attendees to the current state of disciplinary practices within public schools and explore a potential solution to the injustices displayed in American schooling. 

1. Participants will be able to define the school discipline crisis in early childhood education.
2. Participants will be able to define racial bias and the impact of school discipline.
3. Participants will be able to label a behavior analyst’s role in solving educational inequity.
4. Participants will be able to identify steps to eradicating injustices in schools.