Black children are more likely to be disciplined than their white peers across all ages and all forms of discipline, according to data from the Department of Education for the 2017-18 school year. About 15% of K-12 public school students are Black, but they make up more than 30% of students who are suspended, expelled, or arrested. The racial disparity exists for public preschool students as well. Black preschoolers are 18% of enrolled students but are 43% of out-of-school suspensions.
Students with disabilities are also disproportionally disciplined. Children served under the Individuals with Disabilities Act represented 13% of K-12 enrollment but accounted for more than 75% of all restraint and seclusion cases.
