Black CPS suspension rates decline, but still disproportionate
“It’s clear that much progress has been made, but much work remains,” Chief Education Officer Janice Jackson said.
Chicago Public Schools expelled and suspended fewer students last school year than the year before, though African- American students still are disproportionately removed from classrooms and schools more than other students, according to data the district released Friday.
Black students accounted for 39 percent of district- run and charter school students but 68 percent of 61,349 suspensions and 81 percent of expulsions in the 2014- 15 school year.
At charter schools, black students accounted for 82 percent of expulsions, up from 77 percent in 2013- 14, but in district- operated schools, expulsions of African-American students fell to 76 percent from 87 percent.
That’s despite district suggestions— but not requirements— that the disciplinary practices at the publicly funded but privately- managed schools more closely mirror CPS’. Among the loudest criticisms of charter schools is that they push children out at much higher rates than district- run schools because their standards differ.
By contrast, Hispanic students made up 45.6 percent of students but only 27 percent of suspensions and 18 percent of expulsions. White students made up about 9 percent of enrollment but just 3 percent of suspensions. No white students were expelled during the 2014- 15 school year.
“It’s clear that much progress has been made, but much work remains to reduce punitive discipline rates for African- American students,” Chief Education Officer Janice Jackson said in a statement.