CCSD Sees Rise in Student Behavior as Suspensions Drop Across District

A Shift in Student Behavior

The Clark County School District (CCSD) has reported a positive shift in student behavior, particularly in terms of reducing suspensions and expulsions. The CCSD Board of Trustees is set to review the progress during a presentation on Thursday night. This development comes after a challenging year in 2022, marked by an increase in school fights and violence.

At Desert Oasis High School, there was a moment of concern when campus fights were captured on video, leading to a lockdown. Parent Michael Smith shared his frustration with the situation, noting that the atmosphere among parents was one of extreme concern. He mentioned that the incident occurred around "senior ditch day," but the emotional impact was significant.

A few weeks prior, a viral social media video showed a student repeatedly hitting another in a classroom, highlighting the growing issue of violence within schools. CCSD records indicate that the 2022-2023 school year saw the highest number of suspensions and expulsions over the past five years for the first semester.

Kevin McPartlin, the Education Services Division Associate Superintendent at CCSD, explained that the return to school after a prolonged period of remote learning led to behaviors not seen before. He emphasized the need for proactive measures to address these issues.

Proactive Measures and Positive Outcomes

Since then, the district has observed a downward trend in student discipline. There has been a 17% decrease in suspensions over the last three years and a 25% reduction in expulsions. These improvements are attributed to addressing behavioral issues before they escalate into formal disciplinary actions.

McPartlin highlighted the importance of having social workers, transition specialists, and in-house programs in schools to support students proactively. He noted that these initiatives have helped reduce repetitive behaviors.

Creating strong student-teacher relationships has also played a crucial role in this improvement. The focus has been on schools with high levels of discipline or chronic absenteeism. Dr. Samuel Scavella, the Assistant Superintendent for the Safe & Respectful Learning Environments & Opportunities Division, emphasized that students need to understand how their behavior affects not only themselves but also their peers, families, and communities.

Addressing Disproportionate Discipline

Over the years, community members have raised concerns about the disproportionate expulsion rates for certain student groups. For instance, CCSD documents from the 2019-2020 school year revealed that Black students made up 15% of the student population but accounted for 40% of suspensions and 79% of expulsions.

In response to these disparities, the ACLU of Nevada expressed concerns about the impact of repeated disciplinary actions on students' comfort and ability to learn. Athar Haseebullah, the Executive Director of the ACLU of Nevada, noted that such experiences could hinder a student's growth and development.

This school year, CCSD reports that suspensions and expulsions have decreased across almost all student groups. When asked about addressing these disparities, Dr. Scavella mentioned that the district focuses on cultural awareness and responsiveness through training for employees.

Commitment to Equity

To date, over 85% of all district employees have completed this training, which encourages self-examination and helps identify blind spots. The district has clarified that it applies the same standards and solutions for discipline across all student groups, aiming to create a fair and inclusive environment for every student.