A Qualitative Review of Caregivers’ Moral Narratives of Their African American Children’s

Out-of-School Suspensions: Implications for Effective Family-School Collaborations

By: P.A Gibson & W.Haight

SWK 626

Jocelyn Chadwick

I have abided by the Academic Integrity Policy

___Jocelyn Chadwick ____

I. Introduction/ Literature Review/ Purpose of Study

The problem and concern that motivated this study was the disproportionate

disbursement of punishment through out-of-school suspensions on African American

children. This study aimed to explore the reactions and feelings that the children's

caregiver’s had towards their child’s suspension. The research question of this study is,

“How do caregivers of African American children interpret and experience the

suspensions of their children?” This study is important in many ways. The main

importance is that the suspensions cause tension between the caregivers and the educators

but also between the students and their educators.

This topic addresses an important conversation because it shows how

communication and understanding are lacking among minorities in the education system.

Currently, many minorities feel that their lack of proper education and the discrimination

and oppression they face in the school system has designed a school to prison pipeline.

The NAACP Legal Defense Fund defined the school to prison pipeline as the “funneling

of students out of school and into the streets and the juvenile correction system, depriving

children and youth of meaningful opportunities for education, future employment, and

participation in our democracy” (NAACP, 2018).

The author used literature to provide statistics on the current education system in

relation to the topic of the study. One of the most alarming statistics that the author
 provided was that black children are three times as likely to get suspended than white

students nationally. Another fact that the author supported was that school disciplinary

policies negatively affected the student's academic success and made them feel

disconnected from school. Lastly, the author used literature to begin to set the tone for

how the caregivers feel about the school system. One piece of literature described

caregivers as suspicious and mistrusting of educators.

II. Methodology

The authors used non-probability convenience (availability) sampling. The

sample was selected through using flyers placed at schools and throughout churches and

social services to recruit participants. The criteria to be a participant included being a

caregiver of African American children who had received an out-of-school suspension

during the current or previous academic year.

There was no intended sample size of the study since it was convenience

sampling, which depended on whoever was available and eligible to participate. I believe

that the sample size was adequate for this study since they were able to recruit 30

caregivers of 34 children. This is more than enough participants for a qualitative study

which usually is done with a sample size of 5-50 participants.

The researchers used in-depth semi structured interviews in the participant’s home

to collect the data. The interviews were audiotaped and lasted one hour. The authors then
 analyzed the data by transcribing the audiotapes verbatim. The transcripts were then

reviewed to find emnic codes to link meaning to the participant's words and experiences.

They also analyzed the caregiver's emotive talk, which was when they used emotional

language such as angry or shocked.

The author attempted to enhance trustworthiness by conducting the interviews in

their homes on their terms. They also established trust through using the participant’s

words verbatim and using informed consent. I believe they did everything they could

have to create and enhance trust among the participants. The limitations of this study

include not interviewing the children who were suspended. I believe at this age; they

have their own words, thoughts, and experiences. It would have been helpful to hear their

feelings about their relationship with educators and with the school. The authors

addressed this issues as well as the concern with the recruitment methods. They felt that

they missed out on other experiences due to caregivers who either did not have the time

or exposure to their flyers.

III. Findings

The author's findings included that all of the caregivers cared greatly about the

success of their children and loved ones. They found that in most cases, the caregivers

recognized their children’s misbehavior. Some parents agreed with the fact that their

child should have been punished for their actions, but they felt that out-of-school
 suspension was too harsh and was harmful educationally. A lot of the students were

suspended because they stood up to their bullies as their caregivers had taught them. It

was hard for caregivers to understand why their child was not able to stand up to their

bully without getting in trouble. Lastly, the caregivers and their children felt disconnected

from school and their educators after receiving out-of-school suspensions. The

suspension was morally problematic for the parents, and it caused racial discrimination

suspicions and mistrust for the education system

IV. Issues of Ethics and Diversity

I do not think there were any ethical issues carried out by the researchers during

this study. I believe they carried themselves very ethically and in an unbiased fashion.

When it comes to diversity, I appreciate how they had an expert of the community as a

researcher to assure that encoding was valid and reliable. They were dealing with a

marginalized community that often does not trust outsiders. Having researches and coders

physically identify with these caregivers of color addressed any diversity issues related to

this study.

V. Utility of the Research

The findings of this study can be used in social work practice to teach and prepare

social workers for the cultural differences and the types of discrimination and oppressions

that children and caregivers face in the education system. For administration and in social
 policy, schools can begin to change their policy and find alternative and educational ways

to deal with students instead of out-of-school suspension. Schools could get rid of their

zero-tolerance violence policy and focus more on the zero-tolerance bullying policies so

children do not have to worry about protecting themselves at school but can worry about

education.

This article could really help with white educators working in predominately

black educational systems. This would help them understand the culture and the values

that the children and the family have. I believe having these conversations allow the

teachers to emphasize with the student and actually talk with them when the student

begins to act out rather than to kick them out of classes.

VI. Reflection

I walked into this article review already feeling more comfortable. I think it was

because qualitative studies are closely related to clinical work. I have a connection to this

article because I went to a title 1 school where students were only dealt with using in or

out – of -school suspensions. Now that the article review is done, I am feeling relief. I felt

confident in how to understand and analyze the data that was produced from this study. I

would want to know more about the emnic coding and how the researchers pulled out the

essential keywords to make a code of what the participants have experienced. My

strengths include caring about the work being done in the community to build

relationships with diverse and marginalized families.

 References

Gibson, P., & Haight, W. (2013). Caregivers' moral narratives of their African American

children's out-of-school suspensions: Implications for effective family-school

collaborations. Social Work, 58(3), 263-272. DOI:10.1093/sw/swt017

NAACP. School to Prison Pipeline. (2018, February 16). Retrieved July 18, 2019, from

https://www.naacpldf.org/case-issue/school-prison-pipeline/