NCJ Number
106979
Date Published
1986
Length
16 pages
Annotation
In February 1985 questionnaires were mailed to a stratified national probability sample of 900 public junior and senior high schools to obtain information on discipline policies and practices and to explore any effects of external controls, particularly Federal regulations.
Abstract
School administrators were asked about their schools' requirements and practices regarding five due process procedures associated with short-term (less than 10 days) suspensions. They were also asked whether implementing each procedure was (or would be) burdensome and whether they thought these procedures should be required or practiced. Administrators in different types of schools did not significantly vary in their practice of due process procedures for disciplining students, but they did vary in their perceptions of the burden of implementing these procedures. Survey findings indicated some leniency in disciplining handicapped students, but this was far from universal. Administrators were also asked whether corporal punishment was permitted in their schools and whether it should be permitted under certain circumstances. Other information was obtained on the incidence of student civil rights lawsuits in respondents' schools, district, and States. 7 tables and the questionnaire.