By Brenna Angel
Lexington, KY – Each year, the Kentucky Center for School Safety looks at two areas of disciplinary action: violations of school board policy and violations of criminal law.
The number of law violations such as theft, assault, drug abuse, and bringing a weapon to school - has remained relatively stable over the past five years. But disciplinary actions among black males has increased nearly 25% over the same time and 122% for other non-white male students.
Center for School Safety Director Jon Akers says more research is needed to explain the findings, but says there are things schools can do to make sure all students understand what it means to follow the rules.
"Usually the first day of school the principal or the teacher will give the kids a handbook on instructions on what they need to do as far as behavior is concerned. They might talk about it a little bit about it and that's it for the rest of the school year."
Akers says an organization called the Kentucky Center for Instructional Discipline is working with educators on teaching continual reminders of good behavior.
He adds that next year's report will be able to differentiate repeat offenders, but Akers expects minority students will still receive disciplinary action at a disproportionately higher rate than white students.