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Geography plays a significant role in the rate of discipline for students with disabilities, with regional disparities often reflecting broader systemic inequities. In many rural or under-resourced areas, schools may lack adequate training, staffing, or access to inclusive practices, leading to higher rates of exclusionary discipline such as suspension or expulsion.
Meanwhile, urban schools—though often more diverse and better resourced—can struggle with overcrowding and high student-to-teacher ratios, increasing the likelihood of reactive disciplinary responses over proactive supports. These geographic factors influence not only how behaviors are interpreted but also the tools available to address them.
In some regions, particularly in states without strong protections or accountability measures for students with disabilities, school discipline policies may be inconsistently applied or misaligned with federal special education laws. This patchwork of standards creates environments where students with similar disabilities may experience vastly different disciplinary outcomes simply based on location.
For example, a student with ADHD in one district might receive behavioral supports, while in another, the same behaviors could lead to suspension. These inconsistencies underscore the need for state-level oversight and investment in training for educators on disability rights and trauma-informed practices.
Geography also intersects with race, poverty, and access to services, compounding disparities in discipline. Communities that experience higher levels of socioeconomic disadvantage often face challenges such as fewer school counselors, limited access to mental health services, and outdated behavioral intervention models.
As a result, disabled students in these regions are more likely to be misunderstood or labeled as disruptive, rather than supported through individualized education plans or restorative approaches. To create equitable outcomes, educational leaders must advocate for policy reforms and targeted investments that address geographic gaps in resources, training, and support services.
Carter is one of hundreds of thousands of students with disabilities across the country who are suspended from school each year. It’s long been documented that this population of kids is generally more likely to face exclusionary discipline than their peers, but because of where he happens to live, Carter is particularly susceptible.
