Washington, DC — A new study sponsored by the U.S. Dept of Education Office has revealed that African-American students (including preschool students) are more likely to be suspended from public schools compared to other racial groups. The study, conducted through the Dept of Ed’s Civil Rights Data Collection, says that African-American children represent just 18% of children in preschool programs, but they make up 48% of the preschoolers who are suspended from school.
Here’s what else the study found:
Disproportionate suspensions of girls of color: While boys receive more than two out of three suspensions, black girls are suspended at higher rates (12%) than girls of any other race or ethnicity and most boys; American Indian and Native-Alaskan girls (7%) are suspended at higher rates than white boys (6%) or girls (2%).
Suspension of students with disabilities and English learners: Students with disabilities are more than twice as likely to receive an out-of-school suspension (13%) than students without disabilities (6%). In contrast, English learners do not receive out-of-school suspensions at disproportionately high rates (7% suspension rate, compared to 10% of student enrollment).
Arrests and referrals to law enforcement, by race/ethnicity:
Black students represent 16% of student enrollment, 27% of students referred to law enforcement, and 31% of students subjected to a school-related arrest. In comparison, white students represent 52% of students enrolled, 41% of referrals to law enforcement, and 39% of those subjected to school-related arrests.
Restraint and seclusion, by disability status and race: Students with disabilities (IDEA) represent 12% of the student population, but 58% of those placed in seclusion or involuntary confinement, and 75% of those physically restrained at school to immobilize them or reduce their ability to move freely. Black students represent 19% of students with disabilities served by IDEA, but 36% of these students who are restrained at school through the use of a mechanical device or equipment designed to restrict their freedom of movement.
To view the complete report, visit:
http://images.politico.com/global/2014/03/20/crdc_school_discipline_snapshot.html
To learn more about the Civil Rights Data Collection, visit:
http://ocrdata.ed.gov
SOURCE: U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights/
Civil Rights Data Collection: Data Snapshot (School Discipline)