Rules to reduce racial bias in student discipline in review

WASHINGTON — Education Secretary Betsy DeVos is reviewing an Obamaera policy that tried to counter racial bias in school discipline and lessen penalties for student infractions. That’s putting a spotlight on what causes disparities in school discipline.

Under 2014 guidance, schools were told to review their data to see if penalties like suspension and expulsion were disproportionately affecting African-American students more than white students. They had to correct any disparities or face federal investigations and possible loss of federal funding.

The Obama-era guidance also urged educators to use positive behavior interventions such as counseling, when possible.

On Wednesday, DeVos met behind closed doors with educators who believe that rolling back the Obama rule will further entrench discrimination.

Black students are more than three times more likely to be suspended from school and nearly twice as likely to be expelled than white peers, according to a 2016 federal study. Another government study released last month found that black children account for about 16 percent of students but 39 percent of students suspended from school.

But while there’s agreement that disparities in discipline based on race and disability are a serious problem, there’s intense debate over what causes them and how to fix them.

Mike Petrilli, president of the Fordham Institute, argues that the guidance should be rescinded because it has made teachers reluctant to discipline students, which has led to disruptions in class, fights and other violent incidents.