While the suspension rate for Maryland students last year dropped to its lowest of the decade, the racial gap widened to its largest ever, according to a new report.
After reaching two years ago one of its highest levels on record, the state’s suspension rate fell in 2008 to about 8.3 percent, or one out of every 12 students, the report shows. The rate, however, remains above those from the 1990s, and minority students suspension rates continue to grow. Black students got suspended at a rate that is almost 2.5 times greater than white students’ suspension rate, a new high for the state, according to the report released Friday by the Baltimore-based Advocates for Children and Youth.
Terrylynn Tyrell, education director for the group, said the decrease in total suspensions shows a step in the correct direction, but more behavior programs are needed throughout Maryland to close the racial gap.
“The more children we have in the school, the better chance they’ll have at learning, and the better chance they’ll have at a good outcome in life,” she said.
The group is urging Maryland to expand throughout the state the Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports program, a plan that Gov. Martin O’Malley made part of his campaign. The education advocates say more state funds should be redirected so more schools that need the program can begin using it.
“It basically teaches students what the consequences are, and it supports positive behavior for the entire school,” Tyrell said.
The drop in suspensions could be a result of several factors, including policy changes and improved behavior.
In Baltimore City, schools chief Andres Alonso has ordered school administrators to suspend students only for violent offenses and to try to work more with other students to improve their behavior. Suspensions in the district fell this past school year about 13 percent, to 14,600.
