Study: Utah American Indians 7.5 times more likely to be expelled than white classmates

Study: Utah American Indians 7.5 times more likely to be expelled than white classmates

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SALT LAKE CITY — Even though American Indian students are the smallest ethnic group in Utah’s school system, they are far more likely to be disciplined than anyone else, according to a new report.

One of the most compelling findings from the report is that while 55 American Indian elementary school students were referred to law enforcement in 2011, not a single white student was disciplined in the same way. The research was conducted using data from the Department of Education as part of the University of Utah’s look into the “school-to-prison pipeline.”

“These findings indicate that instead of providing additional resources to a population already very vulnerable to low graduation rates, we are pushing them out of the school system and directly exposing them to the juvenile justice system,” U. researcher Vanessa Walsh said in a statement.

American Indian students are more likely to be referred to law enforcement than any other student population, including other groups of color, according to the report. Overall, researchers found American Indian students were three times more likely to be referred to law enforcement than other students of color and nearly eight times more likely to be reported than white students.

“Utah is pushing American Indian students into the pipeline at alarming rates,” the report reads. “In 2011, the most recent year for which data is available, this student population comprised the smallest student demographic in the state and was most frequently expelled, referred to law enforcement, and arrested for school related incidents — all the most severe forms of school disciplinary action.”

Credit: University of Utah

Compared to other Utah students, American Indians are also much more likely to drop out of school. The overall graduation rate for the state was 83 percent in 2014, but in the same year only 65 percent of American Indian students graduated from high school.

Researchers noted that “suspension and expulsion rates are closely correlated with dropout and delinquency rates, and have tremendous economic costs.” When compared to white classmates, American Indian students are 7.5 times more likely to be expelled from school, according to the report.

Additionally, the report found 35 percent of American Indian students who were classified as having a disability received a disciplinary action.

“American Indians occupy a unique place in our country’s history,” the report reads. “Past policies of assimilation removed a generation of American Indian children from their families. This community continues to rank at or near the bottom of nearly every social, health, and economic indicator. These factors have resulted in unique vulnerabilities for this student population that demand focus and additional resources.”

The complete report can be viewed online.

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Natalie Crofts

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