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Disabled students twice as likely to be suspended

I wonder what they'd see if they broke the data down by disability - I bet the kids in wheelchairs are not the ones being sent home.

Bringing this along to our start-of-school meeting. My son with autism has been put in detention or suspended every year. Thanks for sharing it.

I often cite the NYT, but many of its articles (and the academic research parroted by its reporters) are tendentious, including this one and a previous one

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/06/e...ce-more-harsh-discipline-data-shows.html
Black Students Face More Discipline, Data Suggests
By TAMAR LEWIN
March 6, 2012

I agree with the first "Reader Picks" comment at http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/06/e...ipline-data-shows.html?comments#permid=7 .

I see kids with ADHD being disciplined a lot for infractions that they commit because they are impulsive.

Frankly, I think it's a miracle DS8 hasn't been suspended from school yet!

My DS8 hasn't been, but I think it's because I communicate a lot with his teachers with explanations for his behaviours, so they're prepared and compassionate. Also, he's a really sweet kid and very likable (phew )

DS9 (2e, AS) would have been suspended practically every year if it weren't for the protection he gets with his IEP. I think his record year was 6 pink slips for "bullying" -- what they call it when he gets upset and says whatever is on his mind, which is not nice. But with the IEP, he gets detention and other things instead of suspension.

Schools see an IEP and they automatically make assumptions: "bad kid", "not too bright", "classroom management problem". I was reminded of this this week, when my daughter's new high school assigned her to a "Learning Strategies" classroom on the basis of her possession of an IEP. At least, I assume that's why. I kind of doubt it was based on the fact that she has several high school credits already and a 4.33 GPA...

Well, at least DS9 has an ALP to go with his IEP and the school knows him all too well!

DD8 got sent to the office umpteen bazillion times last year; the two previous years, only a couple of times in the beginning of the year. The difference was a new teacher who didn't get DD at all, or care to work with her on her behavior. Although DD was not suspended, we were not allowed to go back to that school this year thanks to a concerted campaign by that teacher (even though I think with a different teacher it might have been fine). We were very disappointed to see this from an expensive private school where the gist of the marketing campaign is individual attention. Not that they should have to put up with just anything, of course, but it made sense to me to pay for a private school in hopes of getting that as well as possibly more experienced and kinder teachers. Not so. I'm not sure it would have worked better in public school with an IEP, but it could not have been any worse. I hope Angie's List or something starts tracking teachers for this kind of thing--it would be great to be able, ahead of time, to find teachers who might work best for 2e kids rather than just rolling the dice.