Hunter
11/18/21
New data in the Iowa City Community School District’s latest Annual Progress Report show that black students continue to be disproportionately disciplined compared with the total student population.
The Press-Citizen reports that 75 percent of school suspension were of Black students, although they make up less than 22 percent of district enrollment. However, the report points out that some data points may be difficult to compare to the previous school year’s report due to the Coronavirus pandemic keeping students at home for at least part of last year and the year before.
The report also indicates that there were 37 percent of students eligible for the free or reduced price lunch service in the district, and 82 percent of those suspended were part of that group.
The newspaper says the Iowa City Community School District has been working on their approach to discipline since they released a report this summer. Steps include focusing on restorative justice practices instead of traditional discipline; training teachers to be culturally responsible; using standardized discipline practices across the district; and supporting student social, emotional and behavioral health.