Exploring Alternatives to Out-of-School Suspension in Kentucky: A quasi-experimental study examining the effectiveness of Community service work

This paper addresses the ineffective and often negative impacts that various forms of disciplinary measures have on students (e.g. out-of-school suspension, in-school suspension, and placement in alternative schools) then discusses community service as a viable alternative to these programs. Data from 17 middle and high schools in Kentucky that implemented community service in lieu of suspension are compared to data from 17 control schools to explore whether or not community service programs are effective in reducing school suspensions. The findings illustrate that community service programs are effective in reducing the amount of out-of-school suspensions in those schools that use community service programs. Therefore, the authors suggest that implementing community service works as a viable alternative to in-school or out-of-school suspensions has the potential to improve academic performance and conduct within public school settings