Abstract
Expulsion from school is the most severe form of student discipline allowed under California law. The primary facilitator of student expulsion is the school administrator. This study examined the school administrators’ experiences with student expulsion, their decision-making process, and implications for bias. The study employed qualitative methodologies and sought input from high school administrators with 3 or more years of administrative experience. The study collected anonymous survey data from 13 (n = 13) high school administrators on how they responded to vignettes detailing expulsion-level offenses. Semi-structured interviews of eight (n = 8) high school administrators explored the topic in depth. The study did not find broad themes of bias among administrators. It did find themes of adhering to policy and law while maintaining a positive school climate. The significance of this study is that in examining how administrators navigate student expulsion, changes can be implemented that reduce the need to expel, provide alternatives to exclusionary discipline, and support students who are in the expulsion process.