Separate and Still Unequal

Abstract

This chapter will examine the disproportionate rate of minority school suspensions relative to race/ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic status, grade level, and school population size. Although Black students account for 20% of the school population for this chapter's study, the rate of in-school discipline for Black students far exceeded the rates for White and Hispanic students. Notably, the authors find that race, gender, socioeconomic status, and grade level are correlated with the disproportionate disciplinary practices imposed upon minority students regardless of grade level. In this chapter, the authors review the previous research on race, gender, poverty, grade level, and school discipline before laying out their methodological approach for understanding suspension disparities. After analysis, they conclude with recommendations for improvement.