Abstract
Extensive research has shown out-of-school suspension as a deterrent to inappropriate behavior in school does not work. It further shows that the most frequently suspended populations are the same populations with the highest drop-out rates and that are most at-risk for becoming involved with the criminal justice system. This study seeks to look at the alternatives to out-of-school suspensions. A cross sectional survey was used to ask school professionals to describe their school suspension programming and to what extent they are using it. Twenty-eight respondents indicated results similar to what was found in the literature review; that while promising, in-school suspension lacks consistency, documentation, outcome data and enough funding to be successful. Implications for social work practice include school social workers working to build strong programs in the schools they are in, advocating for the implementation of in-school suspension programming and dissuading the use of out-of-school suspension. Also, promoting the importance of the maintenance of data to help support the future evidence of the successes of in-school suspension.