Via PCSB.Expulsions have sharply declined at D.C. charter schools over the past two years, with suspensions and truancy down as well.
During the 2013-2014 school year, 139 charter school students were expelled, down from 186 the year before and 237 the year before that, according to data released by the D.C. Public Charter School Board. Eleven of the 139 students were in elementary school, 42 in middle and 81 in high school. The means 1.2 percent of high school students enrolled at a charter school were expelled during the 2013-2014 school year.
The number of students with at least one out-of-school suspension declined from 14.7 percent during the 2012-2013 school year to 11.9 percent, or 4,348 students. That breaks down to 1,473 elementary school students, 1,631 middle and 1,236 high school. The number of students considered truant — meaning they have more than 10 unexcused absences — declined from 19 percent to 15 percent during the same period.
“These trends are excellent news for charter students and reflect good work that PCSB and school staff are doing. However, just because things are improving does not mean that school discipline practices are now the best that they can be for promoting student engagement and achievement,” said Alex Peerman, policy and advocacy associate for DC Lawyers for Youth. “On the contrary, 12 percent of charter students received an out-of-school suspension.That’s still too high given that research shows a single suspension makes a student twice as likely to repeat a grade and three times as likely to be referred to the juvenile justice system. Similarly, 139 charter students were expelled last school year. That’s quite high compared to DCPS, which only expelled one student in school year 2012-2013.”
A report released earlier this year by the Office of the State Superintendent revealed that “students who are black, male, in foster care, homeless or who have mental health needs are disproportionately suspended or expelled” from D.C. schools, both traditional and charter.
More than 5,000 students received in- and out-of-school suspensions and expulsions for violence, drugs, alcohol and weapons during the 2012-2013 school year, according to OSSE. This included out-of-school suspensions for 181 pre-K students and 201 for kindergarten students.
A breakdown of data by charter school is available online, but the exact grade of the students is not. The reason for the suspension or expulsion is also not included in the report.
2014 Discipline and Attendance Briefing by DC Public Charter School Board
