This study reviews disciplinary outcome data reported by local school divisions to the Virginia
Department of Education for the 2014-15 school year.
Key Findings:
- Virginia public schools issued over 126,000 out-of-school suspensionsto approximately 70,000 individual students.
- After trending downward for at least fouryears, the suspension rate increasedfrom the 2013-14 school year.
- Over 20% of suspensions were issued to elementary school students, including16,000 suspensions to students in pre-kindergarten through third grade.
- Over 10%of ninth grade students were suspended at least once.
The vast majority of suspensions were
issued for non-violent, relatively minor misbehavior. In fact, approximately
half of suspensions were for cell phones, disruption, defiance, insubordination,
and disrespect.
Perhaps most nonsensically, 670 suspensions were issued for
“attendance.” In other words, students were sent home from school for skipping
class or not coming to school.
The suspensions were disproportionately issued to
male students, African American students, and students with disabilities. For
instance, 12.4% of African American students were short-term (10 school days or
fewer) suspended at least once, compared to 3.4% of white students; and 10.9%
of students with disabilities were short-term suspended at least once, compared
to 4.6% of students without disabilities.
At least 25 school divisions suspended
between 25% and 40% of their African American male students with disabilities.
The study provides information about five proven methods of preventing and
productively addressing misbehavior in school: MyTeachingPartner, social and
emotional learning, multi-tiered systemsof supports, threat assessments, and
restorative practices. These programs and strategies, if implemented well and
used consistently, would greatly reduce suspensions and narrow racial and disability
disparities. The brief concludes with recommendations for lawmakers and
policymakers.
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