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Inequality in School Discipline pp 207–223Cite as

Palgrave Macmillan

Discipline Disparities for LGBTQ Youth: Challenges that Perpetuate Disparities and Strategies to Overcome Them

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Abstract

Snapp and Russell identify factors that give rise to and perpetuate discipline disparities towards LGBTQ youth, as well as put forth strategies to reduce them. Challenges include an overly punitive approach to discipline and security in schools; untrained and overextended school staff; explicit and implicit bias towards against LGBTQ students; and a lack of school support for LGBTQ students. The authors suggest non-punitive discipline practices and the creation of safe and affirming spaces for LGBTQ students, with properly trained school personnel. Although specific to LGBTQ students, these policies have the potential to improve safety and learning for all students due to their emphasis on inclusion and respect for diversity. These cross-constituency alliances identify, advocate for, and implement school practices and policies that will reduce discipline disparities for all students.

This project was an effort of the Crossroads Collaborative, which included Adela C. Licona, Hilary Burdge, Amanda Fields, Sarah Gonzalez, Zami T. Hyemingway, and Jennifer M. Hoenig. This work was supported by a grant from the Ford Foundation.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, California State University, Monterey Bay, CA, USA

    Shannon D. Snapp

  2. Human Development in Family Sciences, University of Texas, Austin, TX, USA

    Stephen T. Russell

Authors
  1. Shannon D. Snapp
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  2. Stephen T. Russell
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Evaluation and Education Policy School of Education, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, USA

    Russell J. Skiba

  2. The Atlantic Philanthropies, New York, USA

    Kavitha Mediratta

  3. Center for Evaluation and Education Poli, Indiana University Center for Evaluation and Education Poli, Bloomington, Indiana, USA

    M. Karega Rausch

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Snapp, S.D., Russell, S.T. (2016). Discipline Disparities for LGBTQ Youth: Challenges that Perpetuate Disparities and Strategies to Overcome Them. In: Skiba, R., Mediratta, K., Rausch, M. (eds) Inequality in School Discipline. Palgrave Macmillan, New York. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-51257-4_12

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-51257-4_12

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  • Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, New York

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-137-51256-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-137-51257-4

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