New Look at Suspension Data Pinpoints Disparities

Title: New Look at Suspension Data Pinpoints Disparities
Author: Evie Blad and Christina A. Samuels
March 3, 2015
http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2015/03/04/new-look-at-suspension-data-pinpoints-disparities.html

The Center for Civil Rights Remedies at the University of California conducted a study to explore suspension rates among different populations of students. The study found huge disparities, with much higher suspension/discipline rates among students with disabilities as well as minorities. Daniel J. Loson, the director of the Center for Civil Rights Remedies says that the data "further support previous research that shows it's often the attitude of educational leaders, not the behavior of students, that predicts high suspension rates" (Blad & Samuels). The report also found that discipline rates were even higher among students who belong to multiple protected classes, such as a black student with a disability. Another shocking statistic in the article: "The 5,700-student Riverview Gardens, Mo., district was cited in the report for suspending 85 percent of its secondary students with disabilities in 2011-12, compared with 49 percent of its secondary students overall" (Blad & Samuels). This report is relevant because there has been a serious push questioning the over use of suspension. Many people believe it is counter-productive and there are other options that will keep students in school. Also, the unbelievable gaps between suspension or discipline rates among minorities and people with disabilities vs. non-minority students with no disabilities is alarming. This will create a severe learning gap if certain people are not at school learning as much as other students, etc. and this is a subject that definitely needs to be addressed.