Vulnerable Decision Points in School Discipline for Teachers of Latino/a/e Students

Abstract

This study explored discipline inequities for Latino/a/e students using the Vulnerable Decision Point (VDP) approach on a national scale, considering contextual differences across school levels and comparing patterns of disparities with those of non-Latino/a/e Black and White students. We found that most schools do not have significant office discipline referral (ODR) disparities for Latino/a/e students. In addition, we found that disparities for Latino/a/e students are more common in high schools than in elementary and middle schools. In the schools that had significant disparities for Latino/a/e students, classrooms were the most common location for ODR disparities across settings. However, the behaviors for which teachers over-referred Latino/a/e students differed by school level. School-level disparity patterns are discussed in the context of team decision-making, informing responsive and sustaining interventions, and research considerations.