​Student-Centered Discipline

Student-centered discipline refers to approaches to schoolwide and classroom behavioral management that emphasize the role of student engagement, social emotional learning, and cultural responsiveness in supporting positive outcomes for all children.

While many best-practices in student-centered discipline are not mandated by Pennsylvania law, research indicates that strategies like trauma-informed practices and restora​tive practices can play a role in reducing violence in schools, improving school climate, and addressing issues of disproportionality in student discipline. Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) can be a useful decision-making framework for organizing and implementing student-centered interventions.

Disciplinary Equity
Disciplinary Equity resources are provided within the Equitable Practices Hub to provide educational communities a starting point for having difficult conversations about disciplinary equity.  Resources are provided to guide school teams in selecting processes for identifying disproportionalities, evaluating how to mitigate inequitable disciplinary practices, and building more equitable learning environments.

National Clearinghouse on Supportive School Discipline (NCSSD)
The NCSSD was founded by the American Institutes of Research to provide educators with the resources needed to facilitate the reduction of harsh and exclusionary discipline practices and the support the implementation of supportive school discipline practices. It provides quality research, data, information, and tools related to school discipline policies and practices.

PA Positive Behavioral Support (PAPBS) Network
The PAPBS Network through training and technical assistance, supports schools and their family and community partners to create and sustain comprehensive, school-based behavioral health support systems in order to promote the academic, social and emotional well-being of all Pennsylvania's students.