Study: Black Children Suspended More Than Whites

African American students are suspended far more frequently than white children, especially in middle school, according to a new study by a UCLA researcher and a colleague in Indiana.

The scholars, including Daniel J. Losen, a senior education law and policy associate at the Civil Rights Project/Proyecto Derechos Civiles at the UCLA Graduate School of Education & Information Studies, said their work adds to findings that question the effectiveness of zero-tolerance policies that frequently mandate suspensions for specified offenses.

They expressed concern that suspensions cause students to miss valuable class time during a crucial period in their academic and social development.