Out-of-School Suspension, Maryland and Baltimore 2009-2010

In 2009-2010, 57,207 or 7 percent of students in Maryland schools were at higher risk for academic failure, drop-out, and incarceration due to school suspensions. The Open Society Institute-Baltimore urges all Maryland districts to examine their discipline policies to end the overused, biased, and inconsistent application of suspensions.

We encourage the state to adopt effective practices that keep children in school, and provide supportive and structured environments that teach appropriate behavior and increase school safety.