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Prevention vs. Punitive: Addressing DISD's Discipline Gap

March 3, 2015 / 6:15 PM CST / CBS Texas

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DALLAS (CBS 11 NEWS) - A recent study found that African American students in Dallas Independent School District secondary schools are more than twice as likely to be suspended for discipline issues as other races.

While correctly pointing out that the study looks at figures that are three years old, district officials nevertheless readily admit that a disparity exists — and more importantly — that they are already working to address it.

"Students love discipline," explained Jonathan Smith, the principal at T.W. Browne Middle School in South Oak Cliff. "Discipline just means being taught. Students love discipline as long as it's fair."

Since taking over the campus that the state has labeled "IR" or "Improvement Required", Smith says he has worked to improve academic performance by also addressing discipline issues and the "home/life" stressors that can often spill over into negative behavior at school.

"It's about creating a culture of support," says Smith. "It goes hand in hand with the expectations. I'm saying, 'I expect this of you, but what am I going to do to support you to get where we need you to be?'"

According to Smith, the first task was to change the culture of the school to one of mutual respect and integrity — where teachers can teach and students are expected to learn.

"It's not a babysitting club," said Browne parent Elizabeth Jasso. "It's a school where your kids learn and parents have to be a part of it. It starts at home."

Jasso lives just three blocks from Browne Middle School. But, last year, she pulled her children out of the school, concerned about the 'climate.'

Now, lured by an infusion of new staff and a new attitude, her kids are back. "From last year to this year, the confidence that they have is tremendous," she said. "They're happier. They're more engaged in the school, they look forward to the activities."

Jasso, a single parent, is also excited about the principal's deliberate decision to add more male teachers to the staff. "It shows them that they can be more than what they see out there in the world."

Principal Smith admits the root causes of discipline disparities in schools can be complex: from cultural differences, to a lack of clear expectations. So he's addressing those issues, and he says students are responding.

"What I really celebrate is the rapport that we have with our male students," Smith said adding, "So when they are encountering difficulties they are much more likely now to approach us and say 'Hey, this is what's going on… I don't want to get in trouble. What should I do?' And that's a step in the right direction."

Consequently, Smith says, discipline referrals have dropped 24-percent just this year. He also believes that addressing discipline issues is the first step to making needed academic gains. And for that goal, the campus has vowed to do 'whatever it takes.'

"If that means Saturday school, that's what we'll do… staying after school to work with students, after school tutoring… doing what we have to do to make our students successful. It's more than just saying 'whatever it takes,' it's doing it."