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Discipline and Discrimination in Schools

Discipline and Discrimination in Schools

Schools are responsible for maintaining safe learning environments and may enforce rules and discipline policies for students. However, discipline must be applied fairly and consistently.

Under federal and Indiana civil rights laws, schools may not discipline students differently because of a protected class.

Discrimination may occur when discipline policies or practices unfairly target certain students or groups of students.

What Is Discrimination in School Discipline?

Discrimination in school discipline occurs when a student is treated differently or punished more harshly because of a protected class.

Schools must apply rules and disciplinary actions consistently to all students.

Protected classes in education may include:

  • Race
  • Color
  • Religion
  • Sex
  • Disability
  • National origin
  • Ancestry

Students should not face unequal discipline because of these characteristics.

Examples of Discriminatory Discipline:

Discriminatory discipline can take many forms. Examples may include:

  • Punishing students of one race more severely than other students for the same behavior
  • Repeatedly suspending a student because of behavior related to a disability without considering accommodations
  • Disciplining a student for wearing religious clothing or symbols
  • Applying school rules differently depending on a student’s background

When discipline practices treat students differently because of a protected class, civil rights protections may apply.

Discipline and Students with Disabilities:

Students with disabilities may have additional protections related to discipline.

Schools may need to consider whether a student’s behavior is connected to a disability and whether appropriate supports or accommodations are in place.

In some situations, disciplinary actions that do not take a student’s disability into account may raise civil rights concerns.

Fair and Consistent Discipline Practices:

Schools should ensure that discipline policies are applied fairly to all students.

This may include:

  • Applying rules consistently across student groups
  • Investigating incidents before disciplinary action is taken
  • Considering the circumstances surrounding a student’s behavior
  • Providing appropriate supports for students when needed

Fair discipline practices help maintain a safe and inclusive school environment.

If You Believe a Student Was Disciplined Unfairly

If you believe a student was treated unfairly because of their religion, you may be able to file a discrimination complaint.

The Indiana Civil Rights Commission investigates complaints involving discrimination in education, employment, housing, credit, and public accommodations.

To learn more about filing a complaint, visit the How to File a Discrimination Complaint page.