The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #47746

Jean L. Johnson, DrPH and Martha Guinan, MPH. Center on Disability Studies, University of Hawai`i, 1776 University Avenue, Honolulu, HI 96822, 808/9562653, jeanj@hawaii.edu

School violence has become a serious public health issue. Zero tolerance measures have been instituted as a means of reducing school violence. However, evidence exists that zero tolerance is disproportionately utilized for students with disabilities. The exclusion of students from the educational process has become a crisis of epidemic proportions with long-term implications not only for the students affected, but also for our society as a whole. Although issues related to the discipline of students with disabilities is a major policy issue, surprsingly few studies have been previously completed and reported on this important topic. This presentaiton will report on a statewide study that examined the discipline of students with disabilities. The study compared suspension rates for students in general education and special education. The suspensions were examined for both groups by the characteristics of the students who were suspended. These characteristics included gender, age, ethnicity, ESL, and socio-economic status. The most at-risk age for suspension was described for each group. Special attention will be given to the suspension of very young students with implications for their future academic achievement. Students with disaibilities will be discussed by the frequency of suspension by disability category. The suspensions will also be described by the frequency and length of suspension, and by the reason for the suspension. Low-suspension and high-suspension schools were identified. The characteristics of those schools will be described. The report will include information on the implications of these findings for post-secondary outcomes for students with disabilities.

Learning Objectives:

• Particapants will understand the relationship between zero tolerance and school violence.
• Participants will understand the risk factors and characteristics of suspensions of students with disabilities.
• Participants will gain insight on the impact of school suspensions on post-secondary outcomes of students with disabilities.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.