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Black Students Face High Levels of Suspension at LAUSD, John Deasy Offers Meek Explanation
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The LA Times reported today that compared to proportions from other school districts across the country, black students at LAUSD are suspended far more often.
Reporter Howard Blume notes that in the 2009-2010 school year -- the most recent year for which statistics are available -- 9% of LAUSD students were black, but they accounted for 26% of overall suspensions. By comparison, 40% of New York City students are black, and they account for 46% of suspensions. In San Diego, 11% of enrollment and 24% of suspensions.
One expert that Blume interviewed said that these statistics are due to the fact that black students face harsher punishment, but activist Marqueece Harris-Dawson, president of the nonprofit Community Coalition, called the numbers evidence of racial profiling.
Superintendent John Deasy -- is anyone else almost starting to feel bad for this guy? -- said that the numbers were changing this year.
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