School Expulsions
Why we track this indicator
Exclusionary school disciplinary action, like expulsions, can be a significant factor in limiting student's educational opportunities and increasing social, economic, and health disparities. Tracking this indicator can provide insights into children and youth's social and economic instability, chronic disease, and low life expectancy in Elkhart County school districts.
School Expulsions Data Breakdown
Status: Gray
Definition: Average rate of students being expelled during the school year in all seven school districts in Elkhart County. Expulsions are tracked through the Indiana Department of Education's yearly report on school environment. This information is obtained through publicly available data.
Source: Indiana Department of Education
Last Updated: March 2022
Mitigating Factors: None reported
Methodology
Methodology: School expulsion is calculated as the total number of expulsions per 1,000 students. This information is an average rate from all 7 school districts in Elkhart County (Baugo, Concord, Fairfield, Goshen, Middlebury, Elkhart, Wa-Nee Community Schools) and is then compared to the state expulsion rate.
Goal: To be lower than the state of Indiana’s expulsion rate per 1,000 students.
Traffic Light:
Green: at least 1% lower compared to Indiana
Gray: within +/- 1% of compared to Indiana
Red: at least 1% higher compared to Indiana
Supporting Research
Suspension and Expulsion: What Is the Issue and Why Does It Matter? Policy Snapshot
Out-of-school suspension and expulsion are the most severe consequences that a school district can impose for unacceptable behavior.
School Discipline is a Public Health Crisis
Why are expulsions and suspensions happening in early childhood settings with children as young as 2 years old?
Study: LGBT Youth Left Out Of Suspension, Expulsion Reduction Efforts
Education is the single most important modifiable social determinant of health.
Expulsion and Suspension in Early Education as Matters of Social Justice and Health Equity
[Education] serves as a strong predictor of chronic disease, social and economic instability, incarceration, and even life expectancy.
Education attainment linked to health throughout lifespan: Exploring social determinants of health
Students who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender are largely left out of efforts to address the overuse of suspension and expulsion for student groups, according to a new report.
Out-of-School Suspension and Expulsion
Suspensions and expulsions have long been employed in schools to discipline students for disruptive behavior and maintain a safe school environment.
Related Indicators
Click to see more data trends related to School Expulsions
Baugo Community Schools
Baugo Community Schools seeks “to sustain our community by improving our schools in four areas: 1). authentic student, family, and community engagement, 2). powerful teaching and learning, 3). expanded student supports, [and] 4). family and community partnerships.”
Elkhart Community Schools
Elkhart Community Schools is a district that serves approximately 13,000 students, and is known for high-quality programs, exceptional teachers, superior learning environments, and strong parental and community support.
Wa-Nee Community Schools
Wa-Nee Community Schools prepares students to be adaptable individuals with the life and educational skills necessary to become responsible and ethical citizens.
Indicators in Action
The ‘Data Action Mini Grant’ program will provide low barrier grants to collaborating partners which will help increase cross-system collaboration and facilitate the community response to needs and/or gaps identified through the Elkhart County Child Dashboard. Applicants may request up to $2,000. Two or more applicants can collaborate for collaborative action based upon one or more data indicators and increase the grant request. By leveraging the ‘Data Action Mini Grant’ program partners can have a platform that helps to inform community goals and creates a stronger sustainability platform for their programs.
For a copy of the 1-page proposal template click here or email David Wiegner.