All people in North Carolina are supported by a K-12 education system that values divergent perspectives with schools reflecting a diverse community of students, faculty, and staff.
Short-term Suspensions (Race/Ethnicity) for All Acts Reported in North Carolina Schools (rate per 1,000 enrolled students) - Comparison Only
Definition
Story Behind the Curve
The state's rate of TOTAL short-term suspensions (STS) per 1,000 enrolled students has increased from the 2015-2016 school year (143.0) to a rate over 160 for the 2023-2024 school year. (The graph shows a significant dip in 2020-2021 corresponding to the COVID-19 pandemic.)*
NC Disaggregated Data for Short-Term Suspensions:
- NC (American Indian) 2023-2024 Rate: 348.88 per 1,000 enrolled students
- NC (Black) 2023-2024 Rate: 335.02 per 1,000 enrolled students
- NC (2 or More Races) 2023-2024 Rate: 201.55 per 1,000 enrolled students
- NC (Native Hawaiian/PI) 2023-2024 Rate: 141.64 per1,000 enrolled students
- NC (Hispanic) 2023-2024 Rate: 107.62 per 1,000 enrolled students
- NC (White) 2023-2024 Rate: 91.47 per 1,000 enrolled student
- NC (Asian) 2023-2024 Rate: 23.02 per 1,000 enrolled students
* Use caution comparing 2020 and 2021 data to "non-COVID" school years.
Indicator Notes
Definition:
A short-term suspension (STS) is defined as the exclusion of a student from school attendance for disciplinary purposes for up to 10 days (the student is out of school for 10 days or less). [NCGS § 115C-390.1]
Data include suspensions across all grades and may reflect multiple suspensions by one or more students.
Why is this Important?
Short-term suspension is associated with reduced instructional time which can be detrimental to academic achievement and graduation rates; and raises concerns for inequities relating to race, gender, and disabilities. [HNC2030]
Additional Information:
The Short-Term Suspension indicator is aligned with HNC2030.
Link to References and Reports:
Discipline, ALP and Dropout Annual Reports | NC DPI (Table S9)
Consolidated Data Report 2022-2023 (state-level data)
https://www.dpi.nc.gov/documents/consolidated-reports/consolidated-data-companion-report-2022-2023/open (county-level data)
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