Black girls in school face increased discipline: Report

Lauren Taylor

A NEW, EYE-OPENING REPORT FROM A CONGRESSIONAL WATCHDOG REVEALS THAT BLACK GIRLS IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS FACE MORE DISCIPLINE– AND HARSHER PUNISHMENTS THAN THEIR PEERS FROM OTHER RACIAL BACKGROUNDS. 

THE STUDY RELEASED THURSDAY WAS COMMISSIONED BY DEMOCRATIC CONGRESSIONAL MEMBERS LIKE MASSACHUSETTS REPRESENTATIVE AYANNA PRESSLEY AND FORMER HOUSE SPEAKER NANCY PELOSI.

IT TOOK NEARLY A YEAR AND A HALF TO COMPLETE. 

THE REPORT SHEDS LIGHT ON THE HIGHER RATES OF WHAT’S CALLED “EXCLUSIONARY DISCIPLINE,” INCLUDING SUSPENSIONS AND EXPULSIONS.

IN THE 2017-2018 SCHOOL YEAR, BLACK GIRLS MADE UP NEARLY HALF OF ALL EXCLUSIONARY DISCIPLINE CASES, DESPITE REPRESENTING ONLY 15-PERCENT OF GIRLS IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

THE REPORTS SHOWS THAT BLACK GIRLS ACCOUNTED FOR 45-PERCENT OF OUT-OF-SCHOOL-SUSPENSIONS, 37-PERCENT OF IN-SCHOOL SUSPENSIONS, AND 43-PERCENT OF EXPULSIONS, OFTEN FOR BEHAVIORS LIKE DEFIANCE, DISRESPECT, AND DISRUPTION. 

TO PUT IT IN PERSPECTIVE, BLACK GIRLS WERE DISCIPLINED AT RATES THREE TO FIVE TIMES HIGHER THAN WHITE GIRLS. AND IF THE STUDENT HAD A DISABILITY, THE DISCIPLINE RATES WERE EVEN MORE SEVERE. 

CONGRESSWOMAN AYANNA PRESSELY CALLED THE REPORT “DAMNING,” STATING THAT IT CONFIRMS WHAT MANY HAVE KNOWN– THAT BLACK GIRLS ARE FACING A “CRISIS OF CRIMINALIZATION” IN SCHOOLS. 

SHE EMPHASIZED THE NEED FOR TRAUMA-INFORMED POLICIES AND URGED CONGRESS TO TAKE ACTION. 

THE REPORT ALSO HIGHLIGHTED FACTORS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO THE INCREASED DISCIPLINE FOR BLACK GIRLS, INCLUDING SCHOOL POVERTY LEVELS, THE PERCENTAGE OF GIRLS WITH DISABILITIES, AND THE PRESENCE OF SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS. 

PRESSLEY POINTED TO RACISM, COLORISM, AND ADULTIFICATION ; WHERE BLACK GIRLS ARE PERCEIVED AS OLDER AND MORE MATURE, AS ADDITIONAL DRIVERS OF THESE DISPARITIES. SHE SAYS THAT THESE BIASED PATTERNS ARE DEEPLY DAMAGING TO A STUDENT’S SELF-ESTEEM AND THEIR ABILITY TO SUCCEED ACADEMICALLY. 

WE’LL CONTINUE TO FOLLOW THIS STORY AS IT DEVELOPS. 

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