A comparison of elementary/K-8 and middle schools' suspension rates

This study was undertaken to examine the suspension percentages among three sixth-grade transition groups: (a) students who attended elementary or K-8 schools in sixth grade and K-8 schools in seventh grade, (b) students who attended elementary or K-8 schools in sixth grade and middle schools in seventh grade, and (c) students who attended middle schools for both sixth and seventh grades. Percentage suspensions were examined by Black and by Latino ethnicity, and by sixth-grade reading achievement. Also, seventh-grade suspension percentages were examined by sixth-grade suspension history. Across race/ethnicity, achievement, and sixth-grade suspension history, students in middle schools were suspended at substantially higher rates than were students in elementary/K-8 schools. These differences raise concerns about the disciplinary practices used in middle schools and the reasons why these practices are necessary or are deemed appropriate.