CT Post
April 7, 2016
Public school suspensions continue to decline in the state but charter schools and urban districts like Bridgeport still account for a disproportionate share of the punishment.
Leon Smith, director of the Racial Justice Project for the Center for Children’s Advocacy, said more needs to be done.
“This report highlights the need for significantly more scrutiny on the charters and their discipline practices,” Smith said. “Education reform districts . . have shouldered the brunt of criticism on the school discipline issue – and . . work needs to be done to bring down their numbers and the disparities. . charters need to be looked at in . . more intense spotlight given that their numbers are worse.”
The state has focused on the issue because suspensions and explulsions can lead to academic deterioration. Even one suspension increases the likelihood of academic failure, school dropout and involvement in the juvenile justice system, the state Department of Education officials told the Board of Education.