Race Differences in School Exclusions and Anti-social Behavior

Abstract

Many studies have reported that there are race differences in school suspensions and exclusions in the United States. The incidence of school suspensions and exclusions is highest in blacks, followed by Native Americans, Hispanics, and whites, and lowest in East Asians. A Task Force set up by the American Psychological Association to consider these differences has concluded that “there are no data supporting the assumption that African American students exhibit higher rates of disruption or violence that would warrant higher rates of discipline. Rather, African American students may be disciplined more severely for less serious or more subjective reasons…the disproportionate discipline of students of color may be due to lack of teacher preparation in classroom management, lack of training in culturally competent practices, or racial stereotypes”. It is argued that race differences in school suspensions and exclusions are more reasonably attributable to differences in anti-social behavior.