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New Report: Suspension Rates Higher Among Black Students in Virginia

Discipline in Virginia’s schools is not colorblind, according to a new report that suggests lawmakers take a closer look at school discipline practices.

Black students in Virginia are suspended at rates that are 4.5 times higher than white students. That’s according to a new report from the Legal Aid Justice Center. Policy Coordinator Amy Woolard says it’s not because black students are more disruptive.

“For the same offenses, for the same disciplinary history in the same types of schools, black children are being disciplined more harshly than their white peers.”

The report also finds that students who are excluded from school are funneled into inadequate alternative programs that operate without accountability.

“They are receiving extremely inadequate and sometimes no educational services while they are out. And that is just making the problem ten times worse.”

One potential solution lawmakers should consider, she says, is eliminating suspensions for “status offenses,” things like using a cell phone during school or violating the dress code. She says that would keep students in school and prevent them from falling behind while being excluded from classes.

This report, provided by Virginia Public Radio, was made possible with support from the Virginia Education Association.

Michael Pope is an author and journalist who lives in Old Town Alexandria.