Read more
Suspension Is Never an Intervention is a comprehensive guide for developing equitable, evidence-based discipline policies that promote a positive school climate while addressing systemic inequities that affect marginalized students. School-based mental health professors have long noticed the disproportionate disciplinary practices imposed on African American students, special education students, and other marginalized and minoritized populations, making accessible alternatives more important than ever. Geared toward school psychologists, counselors, and social workers in training and in the field, this book challenges traditional punitive measures - especially suspension - as ineffective responses to student behavioral issues, instead offering restorative, proactive, and data-driven strategies for fostering academic and social-emotional success. Chapters align closely with Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) frameworks as well as trauma-informed and anti-racist practices, aiming to equip educators and administrators with tools for impactful, supportive school discipline that avoids perpetuating systemic disadvantages and adverse outcomes.
List of contents
1. Introduction: Reimagining School Discipline 2. Understanding the Problem 3. PBIS Is More Than Posters and Prizes 4. The Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) for Behavior 5. Trauma-Informed Approaches in Discipline 6. Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) and Skill-Building 7. The Call for Restorative Practices 8. Data-Driven Decision-Making 9. The Urgency of Equity in Discipline 10. Advocacy and Policy Change for Equitable Discipline 11. Practical Tools and Case Studies for Implementation Appendices
About the author
Delarious O. Stewart, EdD, LPC-S, LSSP, ACS, NCSP, NCC, NCSC, is Assistant Professor in the Department of Counseling at East Texas A&M University, USA. He is an educator, educational leader, therapist, and advocate for equitable school discipline practices. With years of experience in K-12 and higher education, Dr. Stewart has authored works focused on the intersections of school discipline, mental health, and equity, including studies on the impacts of suspensions on marginalized communities.
