Study: Black Students Face Arrest More Frequently Than White Peers

A new government study suggests that as a student, you’re far more likely to face arrest if you happen to be African-American than if you’re Caucasian.

The data comes from America’s largest public schools, and suggests a large racial disparity in student arrests. The government study reporting the data is the largest-ever performed on the subject.

The data: in school systems that boast more than 50,000 students, 35% of arrests involved African-Americans. On average, African-Americans represented just 24% of the student body. White students accounted for 21% of arrests and about 31% of the population. Hispanic students summed-up 37% of arrests and roughly 34% of the student population.

It’s not just arrests either. Depressing as it is, the racial gap shows among in-house disciplinary matters as well, including suspensions and expulsions. “The sad fact is that minority students across America face much harsher discipline than non-minorities—even within the same school,” says Education Secretary Arne Duncan, though he was careful to note that the US isn’t “alleging overt discrimination in some or all of these cases.”

As stated, the report comes from the largest study the fed has ever pulled on the subject. The data collected came from about 76,000 schools, which saw 96,000 students arrested and 242,000 “referred” to police. According to the NAACP, student arrests are a huge concern, with one rep saying: “A first-time arrest doubles the chances a student will drop out. A first-time court appearance quadruples them.”

Does this data surprise you? Upset you? What do you think should be done about this problem? Let us know in the comments below.