Brookings Finds Suspension Bans Widen Disparities for Students with Disabilities
On Monday, the Brookings Institution released results from a study on suspension bans in the early elementary grades. The study focused on the first statewide-ban on exclusionary discipline, enacted by the state of Maryland.
Although broadly based, Maryland’s ban on suspensions for students in grades K-2 did include exclusions for certain types of behavior such as imminent threat of violence. The ban intended to reduce the disproportionality previously seen by race, gender, and disability status. However, results showed that disparities continued even though the overall rate of suspension dropped. Most notably, gaps related to disability status widened.
Before the state ban, students with disabilities were suspended five times more frequently than their peers. Afterwards, the rate jumped to six times more often. The study concludes, a general ban by itself does not reduce inequities in rates of suspension. Schools must also address factors such as educator bias instead of hoping that neutral strategies such as an overall ban for everyone will reduce inequities across groups.