Equity Indicator - Student Discipline
Introduction
This equity indicator, Student Discipline, examines instances of in-school and out-of-school suspensions for all students in sixth through twelfth grade. Current research shows there is a racial disparity in student discipline in our country. In the Wissahickon School District, we see this racial disparity in the student discipline data when looking at the number of suspensions issued to Multi-Racial and Black students. Our goal is to continue understanding the root cause(s) and work toward strategic, evidence-based solutions and practices.
A present disparity exists in the number of Black and Multi-Racial students enrolled in the district in identifying the number of suspensions issued to them, which are often two or three times greater for students in these two subgroups when compared to White students. Addressing the root causes of such disparities can assist us in responding to students and establishing proactive, preventative measures to ensure their social, emotional, and academic success in the Wissahickon School District.
Last Update: July 2024
Action Plan
- Continue with and expand present efforts in place with fidelity, which include Culturally Responsive Practices, Social Emotional Learning (SEL), Restorative Practices, Trauma Informed Training, and Culture of Belonging.
- Implement PBIS districtwide.
- Provide ongoing professional learning on Culturally Responsive Practices for Professional Staff and Support Staff.
- Focus on Restorative Practice professional learning of all Support Staff.
- Offer internal Restorative Practice training and consultation for all Professional Staff.
- Proceed with broad and ongoing training around the Code of Student Conduct.
- Proceed with exploring alternatives to traditional in-school and out-of-school suspensions.
- Continue to facilitate Focus Groups.
- Maintain Safety Specialists at Wissahickon High School.
- Proceed with the high school’s Cell Phone Policy and We Have Space—SEL check-ins and check outs.
- Continue to offer Aldersgate Mental Health Behavioral Services.
- Proceed with leveraging school-based teams, including data teams, equity teams, PBIS teams, and grade-level/department teams.
Equity Indicator - Student Discipline
In this table and chart, the data are represented as percentages of students who received a suspension by racial sub-group and school year. To interpret these data, an example is: in the 2019-2020 school year, Black students represented 34% of the instances of suspensions, whereas Black students represent 10.10% of total student enrollment.
Instances of Suspensions
|
2019-20 |
2020-21 |
2021-22 |
2022-23 |
2023-24 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Asian |
8.20% |
7.75% |
7.75% |
7.58% |
6.80% |
|
Black |
34.43% |
34.88% |
34.88% |
35.38% |
38.83% |
|
Hispanic |
7.38% |
6.98% |
6.98% |
12.27% |
10.19% |
|
Multi-Racial |
10.66% |
10.85% |
10.85% |
8.30% |
13.59% |
|
White |
39.34% |
39.53% |
39.53% |
36.46% |
30.58% |
Total Student Enrollment
| 2019-20 | 2020-21 | 2021-22 | 2022-23 |
2023-24 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asian | 14.88% | 14.93% | 15.27% | 15.81% |
16.19% |
| Black | 10.10% | 9.98% | 9.55% | 9.09% |
9.30% |
| Hispanic | 6.86% | 6.18% | 6.20% | 6.95% |
7.20% |
| Multi-Racial | 6.89% | 6.85% | 7.42% | 7.25% |
7.24% |
| White | 61.15% | 61.85% | 61.44% | 60.68% |
59.79% |
