A new report from a congressional watchdog reveals that Black girls in public schools face more discipline and harsher punishments than their peers from other racial backgrounds. The study, released Thursday, Sept. 19, was commissioned by Democratic congressional members.
Some involved included Rep. Ayanna Pressley, D-Mass., and former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. The study reportedly took around a year and a half to complete.
“Exclusionary discipline” is what the report focuses on, shedding light on the higher rates of suspensions and expulsions for Black female students.
In the 2017-2018 school year, Black girls made up nearly half of all exclusionary discipline cases, despite representing only 15% of girls in public schools.
The report shows that Black girls accounted for 45% of out-of-school suspension, 37% of in-school suspensions and 43% of expulsions, often for behaviors like defiance, disrespect and disruption.
To put the numbers in perspective, Black girls were disciplined at rates three to five times higher than white girls. If the student had a disability, the discipline rates were even more severe.
Rep. Pressley called the report “damning,” stating that it confirms what many have known, that Black girls are facing a “crisis of criminalization” in schools. She emphasized the need for trauma-informed policies and urged Congress to take action.
The report also highlighted factors that contribute to the increased discipline for Black girls, including school poverty levels, the percentage of girls with disabilities and the presence of school resource officers.
Pressley pointed to racism, colorism and “adultification,” where Black girls are perceived as older and more mature, as drivers of the disparities. She said these biased patterns are deeply damaging to a student’s self esteem and success academically.