RACE 12 Features
BEHIND
The truth behind the racial disparities in school dISCIPLINE rATES. Cedrick Charles Staff Writer & Kenjela Mullings Editor-in-Chief
W
hat is going to happen to me?” “Will colleges look at me differently?” The young girl’s mind raced with fear and anticipation, as she awaited a notice that would forever impact her reputation at school. Her name suddenly blasted through the intercom speakers as the main office summoned her down for what seemed to be the final decision. Indifferent looks filled the room, as the faculty board reached their verdict. “You have been placed on a 3-day suspension.” Those three words, 3-day suspension, echoed throughout her mind, as she wondered whether or not the skin on her body influenced the decision. Disciplinary actions have always been a major factor in school systems worldwide. According to Assistant Principal Aaron Keevey,“ Social and
technological advancements have made it easier for students to break school regulations and protocol.” This results in a staggering amount of lost learning time and inadvertently gives rise to greater student behavioral issues, which is supported by data from Anya Kamenetz of NPR. According to the data below, these consequences happen more often with black students, even as early as preschool. As we carefully investigate the causes for these disciplinary actions, we must also look at the apparent racial disparities in punishments. Maria Danilova of AP News states that in 2015-2016, “Black boys [nationally] represented 8 percent of all enrolled students, but accounted for 25 percent of suspensions and 23 percent of expulsions. Black girls made up 8 percent of all students but accounted for 14 percent of suspensions and 10 percent of expulsions. By comparison, white boys made up 25
percent of all students and 24 percent of those who got suspended. White girls represented 24 percent of all students and 8 percent of those suspended.” It has been proven that students of different races have faced harsher punishments and experienced implicit acts of discrimination. According to The New York Post, “African American middle and high school boys were more likely seen as troublemakers and their misbehavior more severe, than Caucausion counterparts for exactly the same behavior, researchers found.” So what kind of actions would compel schools to issue such punishments? It all lies in the severity of the action and the conditions of each punishment. It is stated that the “higher-level” disciplinary actions include suspensions and expulsions. The National Clearinghouse on Supportive School Suspension states that suspension is the removal
suncoast High school IN-SCHOOL SUSPENSION RaTES mixed 2.6%
ASIAN 2.6% HISPANIC 33%
white 33%
BLACK 33%
HISPANIC 24%
SY 2018
white 13%
BLACK 58%
Hispanic Black White Mixed Asians American Indian
SY 2019
