Feds look at race disparity in Seattle schools discipline
Mar 5, 2013, 1:54 PM | Updated: 3:20 pm
The U.S. Department of Education confirms it is investigating the rate at which black students are disciplined in the Seattle Public Schools. (AP Photo/file)
(AP Photo/file)
The U.S. Department of Education confirms it is investigating the rate at which black students are disciplined in the Seattle Public Schools.
School district data from 2012 shows that the rate of short-term suspensions for black high school students was about 13 percent, more than three times the rate (4 percent) for white students.
U.S. Education Department spokesman Jim Bradshaw confirmed that officials are looking into whether the district discriminates against black students in its discipline. The investigation began last May, and was first reported by KUOW.
A Seattle Public Schools spokeswoman had no comment but the district has been aware of the disparity, holding community meetings about its discipline rates.
