Tracking Suspensions in New York City Public Schools, 2006 to 2017

This report examines trends in the number and rate of suspensions from 2006-07 to 2016-17. Further, for the 2016-17 school year, this report assesses: (1) the use of multiple suspensions for individual students; (2) the number of suspensions by conduct/behavior; (3) the average number of days per suspension by conduct/behavior; and (4) how disciplinary actions vary in response to similar conduct/behaviors. The report disaggregates analyses by grade, race and ethnicity, and disability status.

Key Findings:

  • While suspensions on the whole fluctuated, and ultimately declined by 39.4% over the study period, the timing and magnitude of the changes varied by grade, race and ethnicity, and disability status.
  • The decline in suspension rates for middle school students was sharper than for high school students.
  • Black students in both middle and high school consistently had the highest suspensions rates, followed by Hispanic, White, and Asian students.
  • Students with a disability status were consistently suspended at higher rates compared to students without a disability status.