Black females are over five times more likely to be suspended than white females

By Andrew Pillow

Data around discipline has been a hot topic of discussion in education circles as of late. Many activist and advocates have voiced concerns over trends that show minority students are disciplined more harshly than their white counterparts. This newest set of data won’t ease those fears.

A report from the National Women’s Law Center shows that black girls are 5.5 times more likely to be suspended than white girls. This was just one part of the diverging experience for girls of color in America's schools according to the report:

“And national data shows that Black girls are 5.5 times more likely and Native American girls are 3 times more likely to be suspended from school than white girls. In addition to these barriers, girls of color are more likely to attend under-resourced schools that are not culturally competent or personalized to their needs or interests, which negatively affects their educational opportunities and future earnings.

Although expulsions are less common, Black girls are 6.1 times more likely to be expelled from school than white girls. To make matters worse, they are 2.5 times more likely to be expelled without educational services.”

This data would appear to mirror the other recent findings around school discipline that has advocates of minority children so worried.  

See the full study here. (NWLC)