U.S. public schools - disciplinary reaction to student offenses 2018

This graph shows the percentage distribution of serious actions taken by public schools against several offenses of their students in the school year 2017-18. Around 79.6 percent of the physical attacks or fights were sanctioned by public schools by an out-of-school suspensions lasting 5 days or more.

Percentage distribution of serious disciplinary actions taken by public schools in response to student misbehavior in the United States in 2017–18

Characteristic	Transfer to specialized schools	Removal with no services for remainder of school year	Out-of-school suspensions lasting 5 days or more
Total	22.3%	5.1%	72.6%
Physical attacks or fights	15.9%	4.5%	79.6%
Distribution, possession, or use of alcohol	25.1%	1.8%	73.1%
Use or possession of a firearm or explosive device	45.4%	20.5%	34.1%
Use or possession of a weapon other than a firearm or explosive device	26.5%	8.9%	64.5%
Distribution, possession, or use of illegal drugs	33.8%	5.8%	60.4%

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Release date

July 2020

More information

Region

United States

Survey time period

2017 to 2018

Supplementary notes

Responses were provided by the principal or the person most knowledgeable about crime and safety issues at the school. Serious disciplinary actions include removals with no continuing services for at least the remainder of the school year, transfers to specialized schools for disciplinary reasons, and out-of-school suspensions lasting 5 or more days, but less than the remainder of the school year. Respondents were instructed to respond only for offenses that occurred during normal school hours or when school activities or events were in session, unless the survey specified otherwise. Details may not sum to totals because of rounding.

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