Theses and Dissertations

Date of Award

2026

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Education (EdD)

Department

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice

Advisor

Gisele Waters

Committee Member

Katrina Pann

Committee Member

Kimberly Durham

Keywords

disproportionality, exclusionary discipline, incident, office discipline referral

Abstract

This applied dissertation examined office discipline referrals and the language used by teachers when describing disciplinary incidents. Additionally, it explored the coding assigned by administrators to these office discipline referrals and how those codes impacted the consequences assigned, possibly contributing to the use of exclusionary discipline. This mixed-methods study sought to contribute to the body of research on exclusionary discipline and disproportionate disciplinary outcomes. Office discipline referrals that resulted in exclusionary discipline in two comprehensive high schools were examined and administrators from the same schools who are responsible for coding disciplinary incidents were interviewed.

Themes that emerged from examining the language used by teachers when describing disciplinary incidents centered on the use of subjective versus objective language and the use of language involving prevalence. Additionally, analysis of the interview responses alluded to the need for implementation of interrater reliability measures. Research findings indicate areas of weakness in processes and a need for additional training for both teachers and administrators.

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