ACLU: Missouri Schools Still Punishing Black Students More Severely Than White Students

Black students in Missouri continue to be suspended at a disproportionate rate compared to their white peers, according to an analysis by the American Civil Liberties Union. The ACLU updated a report it published last fall that found black children with disabilities received more than 40 percent of out-of-school suspensions despite making up only 16 percent of the student population receiving special education services. “It’s getting worse, particularly for students of color,” says Sara Baker, legislative and policy director for the ACLU of Missouri. “We’re not headed in the right direction, and some sort of major shift needs to happen here in Missouri to make sure we’re not directing our kids directly into the school-to-prison pipeline.” The data from the Office of Civil Rights, while the latest available, is from the 2015-16 school year. And Baker says there are Missouri school districts headed in the right direction. Some are even working with the ACLU to improve their policies so