Suspending Suspensions: The Education Production Consequences of School Suspension Policies

Abstract

Managing student behaviour is integral to the education production process. We study the tradeoffs of school suspension policies by modelling and estimating how changes in school suspension policies causally impact student performance and teacher turnover. Our results indicate that the reduction in suspension rates in LAUSD decreased math and English test scores, decreased GPAs, and increased absences. Teacher turnover also increased, particularly for inexperienced teachers. We also document an efficiency-equity tradeoff: while achievement decreased for most students in the district, the highest-risk students experienced moderate gains in achievement.