FACTS

“Last year, state education officials told the district that it must shift $1.85 million in federal funds to staff training as a sanction for suspending a disproportionate number of black special education students in 2011 and 2012.” – ‘This is why our parents are angry’ – OPS officials frustrated by racial disparity in discipline’ – Jul 17, 2016 Omaha World-Herald

Two of the best predictors of dropping out of school are low grade point average by the 3rd grade and being held back in one of the primary grades (Paris & Cunningham,1996).

“How well students do in the primary grades matters more for their future success than does their school performance at any other time” (Entwisle & Alexander, 1998 p. 354)

There is no data showing that out-of-school suspension or expulsion reduces rates of disruption or improves the school climate; indeed, the available data suggest that, if anything, disciplinary removal appears to have negative effects on student outcomes and the learning climate (American Psychological Association, 2008)