Kelly Welch
Associate Professor, Villanova University
Key Findings
- Schools with larger proportions of black students were more likely to use punitive disciplinary measures.
- Schools with larger proportions of black students were also more likely to implement zero tolerance policies.
- Schools with larger proportions of black students were also less likely to utilize mild disciplinary practices and restitutive techniques.
- The racial threat hypothesis is more influential in schools where delinquency and disorder are low.
Description
In the article, “Racial Threat and Punitive School Discipline,” Welch and her co-author examine the impact of the racial threat hypothesis in connection to school discipline. The racial threat hypothesis maintains that as the number of minorities in a population increases, so does the severity of punishment for crime. The researchers conducted their study by using data from the National Study of Delinquency Prevention in School, which surveyed more than 630 principals, more than 400 teachers, and more than 300 students from public, private, and Catholic schools from 1997-1998. Subsequently, they also compared datasets with those from the U.S. Department of Education to highlight any discrepancies. The results showed support for the racial threat hypothesis in relation to school discipline. Schools with larger proportions of black students were more likely to use punitive disciplinary measures. Schools with larger proportions of black students were also more likely to implement zero tolerance policies. Schools with larger proportions of black students were also less likely to utilize mild disciplinary practices and restitutive techniques. The racial threat hypothesis is more influential in schools where delinquency and disorder are low. In conclusion, the researchers note that this research highlights serious biases in schools and call for action to reduce punitive measures in racially diverse schools.