Suspensions drop in Denver

Rural districts have highest, lowest rates

Of the state’s more than 140 rural districts, several use suspensions in the early elementary grade at higher rates than any large district. For example, the 980-student Trinidad district in southern Colorado, posted the state’s highest rate last year, giving out 65 suspensions to students in kindergarten through second grade — a rate of 27 suspensions

The five districts with the lowest suspension rates among the state’s 30 largest are scattered geographically and range in size, but generally have fewer students from poor families and fewer students of color than high-suspending large districts.

One exception is the 7,000-student Eagle County district, which has the lowest suspension rate among the five. Suspension rates are dropping in Denver, and

More young Latino boys suspended

At the state level, Latino boys make up 17 percent of the kindergarten through second-grade population but receive 29 percent of suspensions.

At the district level, the picture varies. Seven of the state’s 30 large districts, including two with relatively high suspension rates overall, did not suspend a disproportionately large number of Latino boys last year. Those include Colorado Springs 11 and Harrison — the two highest-suspending large districts.

Chalkbeat Colorado is a nonprofit organization covering education issues. For more, visit chalkbeat.org/co.