Racial trends in school discipline get Devos’ attention
WASHINGTON — Education Secretary Betsy Devos on Wednesday entered a heated national debate on racial disparities in school discipline, meeting with educators as a government watchdog said in a report that African-american students continue to be punished more often than their peers.
The study by the Government Accountability Office found that black children account for about 16 percent of students but 39 percent of students suspended from school. A 2016 federal study showed that black students are more than three times more likely to be suspended from school and nearly twice as likely to be expelled than their white peers.
A 2014 document issued by the Obama administration told schools to determine if penalties like suspension and expulsion were disproportionately affecting black students. If they didn’t correct any disparities, they could face federal investigations and possible loss of federal funding.
The document also urged educators to move away from harsh penalties in favor of positive behavior interventions such as counseling.
Devos met behind closed doors Wednesday morning with educators who believe rolling back the Obama rule will further entrench discrimination. Later in the day she heard from opponents who say that softening discipline practices makes schools less safe and prevents effective learning.
Education Department officials would not say when any decision could be made on any changes in the 2014 school discipline guidelines.