MIAMI-DADE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS SUSPENSIONS DECREASE YEAR-TO-YEAR

MIAMI - Indoor and outdoor suspensions for Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) students have decreased substantially for the first grading period compared to the same period last school year.  Indoor suspensions decreased by 21 percent while outdoor suspensions decreased by 31 percent.

Superintendent of Schools Alberto M. Carvalho created a Code of Student Conduct Ad Hoc Review Committee earlier in the year to closely look at existing policies and documents relating to the suspension of students.  The committee’s work has led to administrative adjustments that identify alternative disciplinary solutions that effectively address behavioral issues while maintaining the student in a constructive learning environment. 

School administrators recognize that out-of-school suspensions result in the loss of valuable classroom time and can greatly hinder or limit a child’s ability to obtain a quality education, a diploma, and a productive career. For the most vulnerable youths, particularly minorities, these suspensions often lead to problems away from school and at home. Consequently, (MDCPS) has placed significant emphasis on reducing out-of-school suspensions - maintaining discipline and a healthy educational environment, without excluding students, except in the most serious circumstances. 

The school district has been recognized for reducing incidents and arrests of juveniles in recent years.  The decreasing trend continued through the first grading period of this school year.

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12-JJS/549

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