Suspensions in Colorado Schools Increase-We can help reverse the trend!

The Denver Post recently published an article titled “Suspensions in Colorado Schools jump 25% as districts struggle to staff since pandemic” (the first in a series) addressing the increased use of out-of-school suspensions by schools across Colorado. According to the article, during the 23/24 school year (SY), Colorado saw suspensions reach their highest levels in 11 years. The increase was primarily attributed to out-of-school suspensions, which jumped 25% since the 2018/2019 school year. As noted by Cassandra Berry, Eastlake High School principal, “Going back to suspensions is kind of a knee-jerk reaction,” amid growing student mental health needs and a decrease in school staff. Schools with a shortage of paraprofessionals, special education specialists, school psychologists, and school social workers had a 24% higher out-of-school suspension rate than schools that were fully staffed. The article notes that the majority of out-of-school suspensions were for non-violent infractions, including substance use. Studies tell us that substance use infractions are best addressed using a restorative approach that keeps students in school. For more information, including a link to the Denver Post article mentioned above, view the “Suspensions in Colorado Schools increase-We can help reverse the trend!” document via Google Docs.

The associated files and links are available below.