Black students in Durham schools suspended & expelled at much higher rates, study shows

Community members in Durham held a meeting Tuesday evening to discuss discipline disparities experienced by Black students in Durham County.

Local nonprofit Empowered Parents in Community (EPiC) is hosting the event.

The group said community members will have the opportunity to discuss their experiences with discipline in local schools and ways to advocate for equal disciplinary practices.

“We believe that our schools must treat every child as equal, especially in situations of conflict and disagreement,"said Jovonia Lewis, executive director of EPiC. "Our unique programs focus on parent empowerment and advocacy... With the goal of disrupting the school-to-prison pipeline, our monthly community forums bring those with lived experiences together to find solutions."

A study posted by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction in March showed that during the 2021-2022 school year, North Carolina Public Schools suspended Black students at higher rates than their peers. Of the over 217,000 students suspended, more than 112,000, or 51%, were black.

At Durham Public Schools specifically, the study says over 2,400 of the 3,424 students suspended were Black. The study showed that 76% of students serving long-term suspensions were Black.

“The lack of instruction of teaching students with diverse backgrounds.” Brittani Clark, Epic said. “The lack of instruction of teaching students with diverse backgrounds.”

According to the study, 48 students were expelled during the 2021-2022 school year. Of those 48 students, 31 were Black. That means nearly 65% of the students who were expelled were Black students.

“There is a clear pattern here in North Carolina as to how students are excluded from school and learning through discipline and suspensions. This pattern is consistent with racial disparities," said Brittani Clark, program manager at EPiC. "Our schools should be safe places for all children to ask questions, make mistakes, and learn so they can live fulfilling lives. Consistent, equitable access to high-quality, culturally competent learning environments is a foundational standard all NC families should be able to experience."

The meeting starts at 6 p.m. at the People’s Solidarity Hub at 1805 Chapel Hill Road.