Which practice uses data to guide decisions about student discipline to reduce bias?

• A. Anecdotal impressions
• B. Public opinion
• C. Teacher discretion without data
• D. Data-driven discipline

Answer: (D)

Using data to guide decisions about student discipline focuses on evidence rather than intuition. When schools collect and analyze discipline data—such as referrals, suspensions, and outcomes—and look at how different groups are affected, patterns often emerge showing where disparities exist. This awareness makes it possible to standardize responses, implement restorative or supportive interventions, and continually monitor whether changes actually reduce bias and improve fairness. In contrast, relying on anecdotal impressions, public opinion, or teacher discretion without data borrows from personal judgments or popularity rather than measurable trends, which can perpetuate unequal treatment. By basing decisions on data, the approach targets inequities and supports more equitable outcomes.