D.C. area school suspensions show wide racial gap

A recent study by The Washington Post shows that in the Washington area, black students are suspended and expelled five times as often as white students. The data reflects a growing trend also in Maryland and Virginia suburbs. Among more than 35,000 suspended or expelled students, more than half of them were black.

Experts cited several possible reasons for the disparity, including poverty, unintended bias, unequal access to effective teachers and differences in school leadership styles. School officials in Washington said they are focusing on ways to close the gap. In Montgomery County, the superintendent is considering new approaches such as a team of administrators to deal with suspension decisions.