Gwinnett County Schools reports out-of-school supsensions increase

More Gwinnett County public school students are being suspended from school than they were at this point a year, according to data recently released by district officials.

Gwinnett administrators have suspended students from school 4,038 times this school year. That compares to 3,666 suspensions at this point last school year. The school district has more students this year, but the percentage of students suspended is higher than it was at this point last school year.

Officials released the data during a school board work session Thursday.

The data showed an increase in suspensions among kindergarten students, which administrators said last school year was becoming a challenge. Officials say most suspensions are for classroom disruptions such as repeatedly knocking down or throwing items, emotional breakdowns or pushing or shoving a classmate.

Check out The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Ultimate School Guide to learn more about test scores and other information about public schools in Gwinnett and across metro Atlanta.

About the Author

Eric Stirgus

Eric Stirgus joined The Atlanta Journal-Constitution in 2001. He is the newsroom's education editor. Born and raised in Brooklyn, N.Y., Eric is active in the Atlanta Association of Black Journalists and the Education Writers Association and enjoys mentoring aspiring journalists.

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