If it is indeed a racial issue I would hesitate to presume its a simple matter of the little black boy being singled out by the prejudiced white teacher as the sole antagonist/instigator in her classroom and disciplined more often and more harshly as a result.
By and large, school districts with high percentages of black children are taught predominantly by black teachers and these schools also have a high percentage of black administrators - so where's the racist element to explain these disproportionate numbers in disciplinary action?
Could it be that perhaps the actual reason for the greater likelihood of suspensions for black students is not so much a racial issue in schools but more so a cultural issue in schools? - i.e. black teachers/administrators are more likely to kick a kid out of class than put him in time out.

Just wondering.

Anonymous wrote:Preschoolers and suspension in the same sentance. What is wrong with this world. Let me guess they are boys.

Schools can't even agree on "acceptable beharior". I would really like to know what they did to be suspended in preschool.

I worked at an affluent mostly white preschool, before I worked to collect data for the District where I did exit interviews with programs who had to expel preschoolers. NO ONE wants to expel preschoolers, it has nothing to do with punishment- it is about safety and proper placement. If a child runs, strikes children and teachers, they cannot be maintained in most centers (seen it happen across SES lines.) Typically these behaviors stem from an un-diagnosed(or diagnosed but in denial) condition, and typically the right placement or referral are in place when the worst happens and a child must leave a center.

in the two years I ran expulsion data, every child had extenuating circumstances at home and usually a behavioral issue the required early intervention...

In case of preschool suspensions, they are last ditch efforts to avoid expulsion. But it means the program cannot deal with the behaviors the child is exhibiting for whatever reason.

So sad and frustrating. It's almost like they are being conditioned. And it's like that saying where you set expectations low and it becomes true. Damn this society.

Anonymous wrote:If this was not a racial issue, then the occurrence of suspensions would be proportional to to the number of black kids attending public schools. Its not. Similar to the disproportionate number of black males in prison. We are only 18% of the population. Something isn't right.

Re: the black men in prison as a larger portion of the population- I've heard it has to do with the percentage of children born out of wedlock to black women, it's much higher than in the general population. It's also a catch-22 because men without dads go on to be absent fathers.

If this was not a racial issue, then the occurrence of suspensions would be proportional to to the number of black kids attending public schools. Its not. Similar to the disproportionate number of black males in prison. We are only 18% of the population. Something isn't right.

Preschoolers and suspension in the same sentance. What is wrong with this world. Let me guess they are boys.

Schools can't even agree on "acceptable beharior". I would really like to know what they did to be suspended in preschool.

I imagine part of this is cultural - standards for behavior and discipline styles can vary by culture. Are black families more likely to accept behavior that schools deem unacceptable?

From what I have seen, the AA boys are the ones most likely to be in before and after care every day. This is a very long day for a small child and there are a lot more transitions than there would be in a day care center. These children are set up for failure.

I don't blame the parents, but I do notice that white families are more likely to have some kind of system in place so that their children aren't in school for almost 11 hours per day, whether it is flexible work schedules, babysitter or nanny, or even one parent at home or working part time. Is this part of employment bias or just different priorities?

Anonymous wrote:Wonderful that these stats are available - now what are black parents going to do with this information?
Are mommy and daddy going to interpret this data as "proof" that nothing is little Johnny's fault and just sit back blaming the system for all his setbacks and situations or are mommy and daddy going to interpret this data as a potential pitfall and put forth the extra effort to ensure that in addition to ensuring little Johnny's academics and behavior is on point that they, too, are going to have to take on a much more integral role in little Johnny's life and not just leave it up to the teachers to keep him involved and out of trouble?

Just wondering.

If black children are suspended more than white children for the same behaviors, then the issue goes beyond assigning fault. I think most black parents (like most parents generally) do work with their children on academic and behavioral issues. But inequities, relating to the treatment of behavior, are an additional battle that may not be solvable by just ensuring that academics and behavior are on point. Especially when one considers zero-tolerance policies. Also, considering that some children get "caught" and others displaying the same behavior do not.

Don't just tell Johnny to be good. Tell Johnny that self-control is very important, that things aren't always fair in school, and that he needs to learn to navigate the system despite the unfairness. And teach him how to navigate it.


One more thing. Being involved in your child's education is crucial. But that in no way absolves teachers and administrators of any responsibility to make the classroom an accessible, safe and welcoming environment for all.

This is not a racial issue, it is a SES issue. Perhaps due to poverty and not having an engaged or even present father, black male students are at higher risk for having the type of problems that lead to suspension. If they broke the data down by SES and family structure then the racial disparity would disappear . This isn't rocket science.

Wonderful that these stats are available - now what are black parents going to do with this information?
Are mommy and daddy going to interpret this data as "proof" that nothing is little Johnny's fault and just sit back blaming the system for all his setbacks and situations or are mommy and daddy going to interpret this data as a potential pitfall and put forth the extra effort to ensure that in addition to ensuring little Johnny's academics and behavior is on point that they, too, are going to have to take on a much more integral role in little Johnny's life and not just leave it up to the teachers to keep him involved and out of trouble?

Just wondering.

The only way to find out if the study ajusted for SES is to read the study yourself. Here is the link: http://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/expansive-survey-americas-public-schools-reveals-troubling-racial-disparities

The article isn't talking specifically about PG County Schools.

Why not post it in the Maryland schools section?

Did the study adjust for SES?

Here is the link to the article: http://news.yahoo.com/black-preschoolers-more-likely-face-suspension-070710508.html

WASHINGTON (AP) — Black students are more likely to be suspended from U.S. public schools — even as tiny preschoolers.

The racial disparities in American education, from access to high-level classes and experienced teachers to discipline, were highlighted in a report released Friday by the Education Department's civil rights arm.

The suspensions — and disparities — begin at the earliest grades.

Black children represent about 18 percent of children in preschool programs in schools, but they make up almost half of the preschoolers suspended more than once, the report said. Six percent of the nation's districts with preschools reported suspending at least one preschool child.

[ Edited to comply with copyright laws. ]