A summary of the larger report "Discipline Policies, Successful Schools, and Racial Justice." Each year, more than 3.25 million K-12 students are suspended at least once. African American students are suspended three times as often as white students.Hispanic students and Native American students are also suspended at higher rates than white students. This paper presents the facts about the following myths: (1) Suspending disruptive students is necessary to make sure well-behaved students can learn; (2) Teachers need to suspend students to maintain order and safety; (3) Rising suspension rates are a necessary response to increasing school violence; (4) Students of color are suspended at higher rates because they misbehave more often; (5) Suspensions are necessary to deter future infractions; and (6) Suspensions will get parents' attention and help curb misbehavior.
