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Report: Louisiana Schools Suspend Black, Low-Income Students At Higher Rates Than Peers

Black students were twice as likely to be suspended compared to white students in Louisiana schools.
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Black students were twice as likely to be suspended compared to white students in Louisiana schools.

Researchers at the have released a new reportshowing Louisiana's black students and low-income students are more likely to be suspended than white and wealthier students. 

The report from the Tulane University-based research group found that black students were twice as likely to be suspended compared to white students. Low-income students were 1.75 times more likely to get a suspension than their middle- and upper-income classmates. The study also found that in fights between one black student and one white student, black students got longer suspensions. 

Researchers looked at state school discipline records from 2000 to 2014. Their findings are consistent with dozens of national studies showing higher rates of suspension for minority and low-income kids.

They say there may be a need for more professional development and oversight to reduce discriminatory discipline practices in Louisiana schools. 

Copyright 2021 WWNO - New Orleans Public Radio. To see more, visit .

Jess Clark is WWNO's Education Desk reporter. Jess comes to the station after two years as Fletcher Fellow for Education Policy Reporting for (Chapel Hill). Her reporting has aired on national programs, including NPR's All Things Considered, Here & Now from WBUR, and NPR's Weekend Edition.