High rates of suspension in West Virginia schools were examined during the state board of education meeting on Wednesday, illustrating widespread use and disproportionate distribution among Black, low-socio-economic status and disabled student populations.
Together, the state Department of Education’s Office of Data Analysis & Research and its Office of Leadership Development & Support compiled 169,963 discipline referrals from the 2021-22 school year involving 51,432 students, which led to 66,904 in and out-of-school suspensions for 28,702 students who lost, on average, 6.2 instructional days.
In total, students statewide collectively lost 177,778 instructional days from suspensions.
