Report: Black Students Punished More Severely than White Students in AR
By: Dustin Barnes
Updated: February 14, 2013
At Fuller Middle School, we found four students working out an equation - each given a chance to get the right answer.
But when it comes to discipline, a report says black students don't get a fair deal.
"It's important that we address the issue and make districts aware of it," said Jerri Derlikowski with Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families, who released the report.
Its study shows that in 2012, black students in Arkansas were five times more likely to be given out-of-school suspension than white students.
That's time Derlikowski said black students are missing out on learning skills needed for careers.
"There's data that shows students that have been suspended even once are much more likely to drop out," Derlikowski said.
It's Brenda Bowles' job to track discipline for PCSSD.
"If a child or a student is not having success in their academics, they tend to act out," said Brenda Bowles with the Pulaski County Special School District.
She said the district looks at the student's environment before handing down punishment. Many times, a child is paired with a mentor or mental health specialist to look past the behavior.
"They bring who they are to school and to the classroom and we have to deal with them and we have to meet them where they are," Bowles said.
You can find the full report by clicking here.
But when it comes to discipline, a report says black students don't get a fair deal.
"It's important that we address the issue and make districts aware of it," said Jerri Derlikowski with Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families, who released the report.
Its study shows that in 2012, black students in Arkansas were five times more likely to be given out-of-school suspension than white students.
That's time Derlikowski said black students are missing out on learning skills needed for careers.
"There's data that shows students that have been suspended even once are much more likely to drop out," Derlikowski said.
It's Brenda Bowles' job to track discipline for PCSSD.
"If a child or a student is not having success in their academics, they tend to act out," said Brenda Bowles with the Pulaski County Special School District.
She said the district looks at the student's environment before handing down punishment. Many times, a child is paired with a mentor or mental health specialist to look past the behavior.
"They bring who they are to school and to the classroom and we have to deal with them and we have to meet them where they are," Bowles said.
You can find the full report by clicking here.
