Positive Supports for Behavior and Discipline

Children with disabilities, particularly children of color with disabilities, are suspended and expelled from school at disproportionately higher rates than their peers – a trend that starts as early as preschool.  The negative impact of exclusionary discipline on a child’s short- and long-term outcomes is well documented. Exclusionary discipline’s negative impacts include decreased academic achievement and increased risk of entering the juvenile justice system. 

The U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) and the OSERS Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) released guidance that describes practices in early childhood and school programs that can be used to prevent and respond to interfering behavior. Schools and early childhood programs can use the guidance to support children with disabilities and address disparities in the use of exclusionary discipline.

For more information, visit: OSEP Ideas That Work