School suspensions are down but disparities remain

NPR -Students in U.S. schools were less likely to be suspended in 2016 than they were in 2012. But the progress is incremental, and large gaps — by race and by special education status — remain.

This data comes from an analysis of federal data for NPR in partnership with the nonprofit organization Child Trends.

•     The proportion of all students suspended from school at least once during the year fell from 5.6 percent to 4.7 percent.
•     Among high school students, the percentage suspended fell even more, from 9.6 to 7.6 percent.
•     Suspension rates fell around the country, in each of the biggest-population states. Only one state, Mississippi, saw a persistent increase year by year.
•     Hispanic students experienced the largest decrease --a 30 percent drop in suspensions.
•     Suspension rates fell faster for those most often suspended — Black students and students with a disability.

But, on the flip side:

•     Black high school students are still twice as likely (12.8 percent) to be suspended as white (6.1 percent) or Hispanic (6.3 percent) high school students.
•     And students with a disability are also twice as likely (12.8 percent) to be suspended as those without a disability (6.9 percent).