Population Studies and Training Center

Harsher punishment leads to more suspensions for black kids

Elementary schools discipline black students more harshly than white students, leading to a considerable racial gap in expulsion and suspension, according to a new study published by PSTC Associate Jayanti Owens.

PSTC Faculty Associate and Assistant Professor of Sociology Jayanti Owens published a new study in the journal Social Forces which finds that different treatment of black and white students accounts for half of the discipline-related racial gap in suspensions and expulsions among 5- to 9-year-old children.