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| 2023 Tables and Figures | All Years of Tables and Figures | Most Recent Full Issue of the Digest |
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| [Standard errors appear in parentheses] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type of offense and type of serious disciplinary action | 1999-20001 | 2003-04 | 2005-06 | 2007-08 | 2009-10 | 2015-16 | 2017-18 | 2019-202 | 2021-22 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Number of schools taking at least one action | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total, in response to any listed offense3 | --- | (†) | 36,800 | (960) | 40,000 | (990) | 38,500 | (1,010) | 32,300 | 4 | (940) | 31,100 | 4 | (900) | 28,700 | 4 | (1,010) | 29,500 | 4 | (870) | 28,400 | 4 | (930) | |||||||||||
| Physical fights or attacks | 29,000 | (840) | 25,800 | (780) | 26,300 | (880) | 26,100 | (740) | 24,000 | (770) | 22,500 | (900) | 20,500 | (860) | 19,900 | (740) | 20,500 | (760) | ||||||||||||||||
| Insubordination | 15,000 | (640) | 17,400 | (690) | 17,700 | (700) | 17,800 | (800) | --- | (†) | --- | (†) | --- | (†) | --- | (†) | --- | (†) | ||||||||||||||||
| Distribution, possession, or use of alcohol | --- | (†) | 7,400 | (400) | 8,500 | (380) | 8,100 | (400) | 7,600 | (320) | 6,700 | (340) | 6,700 | (270) | 6,600 | (320) | 5,100 | (270) | ||||||||||||||||
| Distribution, possession, or use of illegal drugs | --- | (†) | 17,000 | (470) | 17,400 | (490) | 16,000 | (470) | 16,100 | (400) | 15,600 | (500) | 14,400 | (430) | 16,200 | (530) | 15,200 | (650) | ||||||||||||||||
| Use or possession of firearm or explosive device | --- | (†) | 3,200 | (320) | 3,800 | (290) | 2,300 | (220) | 2,500 | (340) | 1,700 | (240) | 1,400 | (160) | 2,000 | (290) | 1,800 | (200) | ||||||||||||||||
|
Use or possession of weapon other than firearm or explosive device |
--- |
5 |
(†) |
13,500 |
5 |
(690) |
16,100 |
(760) |
12,700 |
(650) |
11,200 |
(650) |
8,700 |
(510) |
9,100 |
(610) |
8,300 |
(510) |
9,500 |
(660) |
||||||||||||||
Percent of schools taking at least one action |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total, in response to any listed offense3 | --- | (†) | 45.7 | (1.15) | 48.1 | (1.17) | 46.4 | (1.16) | 39.1 | 4 | (1.14) | 37.2 | 4 | (1.06) | 34.9 | 4 | (1.27) | 35.4 | 4 | (1.06) | 33.3 | 4 | (1.10) | |||||||||||
| Physical fights or attacks | 35.4 | (1.02) | 32.0 | (0.94) | 31.6 | (1.00) | 31.5 | (0.89) | 29.0 | (0.94) | 26.9 | (1.06) | 24.9 | (1.07) | 24.0 | (0.89) | 24.1 | (0.89) | ||||||||||||||||
| Insubordination | 18.3 | (0.79) | 21.6 | (0.85) | 21.2 | (0.84) | 21.4 | (0.95) | --- | (†) | --- | (†) | --- | (†) | --- | (†) | --- | (†) | ||||||||||||||||
| Distribution, possession, or use of alcohol | --- | (†) | 9.2 | (0.50) | 10.2 | (0.47) | 9.8 | (0.48) | 9.2 | (0.39) | 8.1 | (0.40) | 8.1 | (0.33) | 8.0 | (0.39) | 6.0 | (0.32) | ||||||||||||||||
| Distribution, possession, or use of illegal drugs | --- | (†) | 21.2 | (0.58) | 20.8 | (0.61) | 19.3 | (0.53) | 19.5 | (0.48) | 18.6 | (0.59) | 17.5 | (0.53) | 19.5 | (0.65) | 17.8 | (0.76) | ||||||||||||||||
| Use or possession of firearm or explosive device | --- | (†) | 3.9 | (0.40) | 4.5 | (0.35) | 2.8 | (0.26) | 3.0 | (0.41) | 2.0 | (0.29) | 1.7 | (0.19) | 2.4 | (0.35) | 2.1 | (0.23) | ||||||||||||||||
|
Use or possession of weapon other than firearm or explosive device |
--- |
5 |
(†) |
16.8 |
5 |
(0.84) |
19.4 |
(0.91) |
15.3 |
(0.77) |
13.5 |
(0.78) |
10.4 |
(0.61) |
11.1 |
(0.76) |
10.0 |
(0.61) |
11.2 |
(0.78) |
||||||||||||||
Number of actions taken in response to offenses |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total, in response to any listed offense | --- | (†) | 655,700 | (29,160) | 842,400 | (46,080) | 767,900 | (44,010) | 433,800 | 4 | (22,880) | 305,700 | 4 | (11,500) | 291,100 | 4 | (12,730) | 330,600 | 4 | (16,720) | 340,100 | 4 | (16,700) | |||||||||||
| Physical fights or attacks | 332,500 | (27,420) | 273,500 | (14,450) | 328,900 | (16,880) | 271,800 | (15,180) | 265,100 | (22,170) | 178,000 | (10,890) | 170,400 | (10,380) | 184,000 | (13,580) | 195,000 | (14,610) | ||||||||||||||||
| Insubordination | 253,500 | (27,720) | 220,400 | (16,990) | 312,900 | (34,200) | 327,100 | (38,470) | --- | (†) | --- | (†) | --- | (†) | --- | (†) | --- | (†) | ||||||||||||||||
| Distribution, possession, or use of alcohol | --- | (†) | 25,500 | (1,600) | 30,500 | (1,910) | 28,400 | (1,470) | 28,700 | (1,920) | 18,400 | (1,180) | 19,100 | (990) | 17,200 | (890) | 13,600 | (1,170) | ||||||||||||||||
| Distribution, possession, or use of illegal drugs | --- | (†) | 91,100 | (3,410) | 108,300 | (4,930) | 98,700 | (5,780) | 105,400 | (4,070) | 83,800 | (3,670) | 76,700 | (2,910) | 98,400 | (4,380) | 92,700 | (5,070) | ||||||||||||||||
| Use or possession of firearm or explosive device | --- | (†) | 9,900 | ! | (4,300) | 14,500 | (2,740) | 5,200 | (910) | 5,800 | (1,360) | 4,100 | ! | (1,240) | 2,500 | (550) | 3,000 | (370) | 3,400 | (500) | ||||||||||||||
|
Use or possession of weapon other than firearm or explosive device |
--- |
5 |
(†) |
35,400 |
5 |
(1,470) |
47,300 |
(2,100) |
36,800 |
(2,630) |
28,800 |
(1,580) |
21,300 |
(1,430) |
22,400 |
(1,590) |
28,000 |
(6,370) |
35,300 |
(5,360) |
||||||||||||||
Percentage distribution of actions taken |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total, in response to any listed offense | --- | (†) | 100.0 | (†) | 100.0 | (†) | 100.0 | (†) | 100.0 | 4 | (†) | 100.0 | 4 | (†) | 100.0 | 4 | (†) | 100.0 | 4 | (†) | 100.0 | 4 | (†) | |||||||||||
| Out-of-school suspensions lasting 5 days or more | --- | (†) | 74.2 | (1.60) | 74.2 | (1.98) | 76.0 | (1.63) | 73.9 | (1.79) | 71.7 | (1.32) | 72.6 | (1.18) | 68.4 | (1.88) | 67.9 | (2.26) | ||||||||||||||||
|
Removal with no services for remainder of school year |
--- |
(†) |
4.8 |
(0.72) |
5.4 |
(0.77) |
5.4 |
(1.06) |
6.1 |
(0.86) |
4.3 |
(0.49) |
5.1 |
(0.60) |
4.9 |
(0.78) |
7.1 |
! |
(3.03) |
|||||||||||||||
| Transfer to alternative schools6 | --- | (†) | 21.0 | (1.49) | 20.4 | (1.77) | 18.7 | (1.38) | 20.0 | (1.36) | 23.9 | (1.18) | 22.3 | (1.11) | 26.7 | (1.54) | 24.9 | (1.52) | ||||||||||||||||
|
Physical fights or attacks |
100.0 |
(†) |
100.0 |
(†) |
100.0 |
(†) |
100.0 |
(†) |
100.0 |
(†) |
100.0 |
(†) |
100.0 |
(†) |
100.0 |
(†) |
100.0 |
(†) |
||||||||||||||||
| Out-of-school suspensions lasting 5 days or more | 85.1 | (1.78) | 80.8 | (1.67) | 80.8 | (1.58) | 78.7 | (1.40) | 81.2 | (2.18) | 79.4 | (1.60) | 79.6 | (1.38) | 74.3 | (2.42) | 71.2 | (3.99) | ||||||||||||||||
|
Removal with no services for remainder of school year |
9.0 |
(1.64) |
3.6 |
(0.76) |
4.1 |
(0.71) |
4.4 |
(0.72) |
5.0 |
(1.22) |
2.9 |
(0.53) |
4.5 |
(0.81) |
5.1 |
(1.22) |
‡ |
(†) |
||||||||||||||||
| Transfer to alternative schools6 | 5.9 | (0.59) | 15.5 | (1.59) | 15.1 | (1.40) | 16.9 | (1.19) | 13.9 | (1.57) | 17.7 | (1.50) | 15.9 | (1.27) | 20.6 | (1.65) | 19.5 | (1.82) | ||||||||||||||||
| Insubordination |
100.0 |
(†) |
100.0 |
(†) |
100.0 |
(†) |
100.0 |
(†) |
--- |
(†) |
--- |
(†) |
--- |
(†) |
--- |
(†) |
--- |
(†) |
||||||||||||||||
| Out-of-school suspensions lasting 5 days or more | 81.6 | (3.27) | 78.1 | (2.54) | 76.0 | (4.24) | 82.2 | (3.14) | --- | (†) | --- | (†) | --- | (†) | --- | (†) | --- | (†) | ||||||||||||||||
|
Removal with no services for remainder of school year |
15.0 |
(3.16) |
3.1 |
! |
(1.53) |
4.1 |
! |
(1.57) |
‡ |
(†) |
--- |
(†) |
--- |
(†) |
--- |
(†) |
--- |
(†) |
--- |
(†) |
||||||||||||||
| Transfer to alternative schools6 | 3.4 | (0.76) | 18.8 | (2.41) | 19.9 | (3.62) | 13.1 | (2.29) | --- | (†) | --- | (†) | --- | (†) | --- | (†) | --- | (†) | ||||||||||||||||
|
Distribution, possession, or use of alcohol |
--- |
(†) |
100.0 |
(†) |
100.0 |
(†) |
100.0 |
(†) |
100.0 |
(†) |
100.0 |
(†) |
100.0 |
(†) |
100.0 |
(†) |
100.0 |
(†) |
||||||||||||||||
| Out-of-school suspensions lasting 5 days or more | --- | (†) | 70.8 | (2.91) | 77.0 | (2.07) | 73.9 | (2.56) | 74.3 | (2.23) | 67.7 | (2.94) | 73.1 | (2.39) | 59.0 | (2.47) | 64.2 | (2.85) | ||||||||||||||||
|
Removal with no services for remainder of school year |
--- |
(†) |
5.5 |
(1.56) |
4.5 |
(0.80) |
4.5 |
(1.00) |
4.0 |
(0.92) |
3.7 |
(0.89) |
1.8 |
! |
(0.56) |
3.7 |
(0.99) |
2.4 |
! |
(0.85) |
||||||||||||||
| Transfer to alternative schools6 | --- | (†) | 23.7 | (2.82) | 18.5 | (2.01) | 21.6 | (1.97) | 21.7 | (2.27) | 28.6 | (3.00) | 25.1 | (2.31) | 37.3 | (2.48) | 33.4 | (3.02) | ||||||||||||||||
|
Distribution, possession, or use of illegal drugs |
--- |
(†) |
100.0 |
(†) |
100.0 |
(†) |
100.0 |
(†) |
100.0 |
(†) |
100.0 |
(†) |
100.0 |
(†) |
100.0 |
(†) |
100.0 |
(†) |
||||||||||||||||
| Out-of-school suspensions lasting 5 days or more | --- | (†) | 53.4 | (2.27) | 55.6 | (1.96) | 55.4 | (2.05) | 59.6 | (1.70) | 58.8 | (2.07) | 60.4 | (1.93) | 59.1 | (2.05) | 60.9 | (2.14) | ||||||||||||||||
|
Removal with no services for remainder of school year |
--- |
(†) |
10.1 |
(0.91) |
10.2 |
(0.90) |
9.1 |
(1.10) |
8.0 |
(0.94) |
6.9 |
(0.96) |
5.8 |
(0.68) |
4.3 |
(0.69) |
3.9 |
(0.75) |
||||||||||||||||
| Transfer to alternative schools6 | --- | (†) | 36.4 | (2.23) | 34.2 | (2.02) | 35.5 | (1.84) | 32.4 | (1.57) | 34.3 | (2.08) | 33.8 | (1.87) | 36.6 | (2.16) | 35.2 | (2.29) | ||||||||||||||||
|
Use or possession of firearm or explosive device |
--- |
(†) |
100.0 |
(†) |
100.0 |
(†) |
100.0 |
(†) |
100.0 |
(†) |
100.0 |
(†) |
100.0 |
(†) |
100.0 |
(†) |
100.0 |
(†) |
||||||||||||||||
| Out-of-school suspensions lasting 5 days or more | --- | (†) | 66.6 | ! | (25.42) | 67.9 | (7.07) | 52.9 | (5.94) | 55.5 | (9.64) | 66.3 | (14.94) | 34.1 | (4.28) | 37.2 | (5.01) | 36.9 | (6.81) | |||||||||||||||
|
Removal with no services for remainder of school year |
--- |
(†) |
‡ |
(†) |
10.9 |
(2.89) |
18.3 |
(5.18) |
22.2 |
(4.96) |
8.3 |
! |
(3.69) |
20.5 |
! |
(7.09) |
23.9 |
(5.54) |
30.4 |
(7.94) |
||||||||||||||
| Transfer to alternative schools6 | --- | (†) | ‡ | (†) | 21.2 | (5.59) | 28.8 | (3.96) | 22.3 | ! | (7.91) | 25.3 | ! | (12.63) | 45.4 | (7.40) | 38.9 | (5.84) | 32.7 | (5.47) | ||||||||||||||
|
Use or possession of weapon other than firearm or explosive device5 |
--- |
(†) |
100.0 |
(†) |
100.0 |
(†) |
100.0 |
(†) |
100.0 |
(†) |
100.0 |
(†) |
100.0 |
(†) |
100.0 |
(†) |
100.0 |
(†) |
||||||||||||||||
| Out-of-school suspensions lasting 5 days or more | --- | (†) | 57.2 | (2.20) | 60.0 | (1.89) | 60.3 | (2.24) | 62.2 | (2.44) | 63.0 | (2.47) | 64.5 | (2.23) | 71.8 | (7.09) | 72.7 | (3.69) | ||||||||||||||||
|
Removal with no services for remainder of school year |
--- |
(†) |
7.7 |
(0.81) |
10.8 |
(1.09) |
7.8 |
(1.29) |
8.8 |
(1.31) |
6.2 |
(1.46) |
8.9 |
(1.93) |
3.8 |
! |
(1.34) |
3.6 |
! |
(1.32) |
||||||||||||||
| Transfer to alternative schools6 | --- | (†) | 35.1 | (2.04) | 29.2 | (1.83) | 31.9 | (1.75) | 29.0 | (2.32) | 30.9 | (2.56) | 26.5 | (1.78) | 24.4 | (5.94) | 23.7 | (3.11) | ||||||||||||||||
Number of students involved in offenses7 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total, all listed offenses | --- | (†) | 3,912,500 | (162,670) | 3,919,500 | (129,350) | 4,783,700 | (324,130) | 1,057,200 | 4 | (31,810) | 826,300 | 4 | (37,980) | 854,500 | 4 | (31,770) | 914,200 | 4 | (33,520) | 884,400 | 4 | (29,910) | |||||||||||
| Physical fights or attacks | 766,900 | (50,410) | 1,108,600 | (46,250) | 1,026,100 | (35,050) | 987,900 | (42,620) | 820,100 | (27,890) | 633,300 | (37,820) | 667,700 | (30,140) | 683,500 | (31,930) | 663,700 | (25,910) | ||||||||||||||||
| Insubordination | 1,104,200 | (69,490) | 2,558,500 | (131,830) | 2,606,700 | (107,660) | 3,589,300 | (319,390) | --- | (†) | --- | (†) | --- | (†) | --- | (†) | --- | (†) | ||||||||||||||||
| Distribution, possession, or use of alcohol | --- | (†) | 44,100 | (2,290) | 49,900 | (2,750) | 38,700 | (1,690) | 42,200 | (2,450) | 30,200 | (1,670) | 32,400 | (2,300) | 33,100 | (2,120) | 24,200 | (1,430) | ||||||||||||||||
| Distribution, possession, or use of illegal drugs | --- | (†) | 118,900 | (4,590) | 119,400 | (4,350) | 106,300 | (4,240) | 125,700 | (5,540) | 119,200 | (6,310) | 112,900 | (4,310) | 161,500 | (8,160) | 155,200 | (5,740) | ||||||||||||||||
| Use or possession of firearm or explosive device | --- | (†) | ‡ | (†) | 55,700 | (16,540) | 13,400 | ! | (4,270) | 27,100 | ! | (11,180) | 9,900 | ! | (3,090) | 5,100 | ! | (2,490) | 3,600 | (460) | 4,500 | (560) | ||||||||||||
|
Use or possession of weapon other than firearm or explosive device |
--- |
5 |
(†) |
57,500 |
5 |
(4,260) |
61,700 |
(2,540) |
48,100 |
(3,430) |
42,100 |
(2,220) |
33,800 |
(2,420) |
36,300 |
(2,250) |
32,500 |
(1,740) |
36,800 |
(2,210) |
||||||||||||||
| ---Not available. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| †Not applicable. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| !Interpret data with caution. The coefficient of variation (CV) for this estimate is between 30 and 50 percent. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ‡Reporting standards not met. The coefficient of variation (CV) for this estimate is 50 percent or greater. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1In the 1999-2000 questionnaire, only two items are the same as in questionnaires for later years: the item on physical attacks or fights and the item on insubordination. There are no comparable 1999-2000 data for serious disciplinary actions taken in response to the other specific offenses listed in this table, nor for total actions taken in response to all the listed offenses. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2The coronavirus pandemic affected the 2019-20 data collection activities, while the change to virtual schooling and the adjusted school year may have impacted the data collected by SSOCS. Readers should use caution when comparing 2019-20 estimates with those from other years. For more information, see Crime, Violence, Discipline, and Safety in U.S. Public Schools in 2019–20: Findings From the School Survey on Crime and Safety (NCES 2022-029). | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3Schools that took serious disciplinary actions in response to more than one type of offense were counted only once in the total. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 4Totals for 2009-10, 2015-16, 2017-18, 2019-20, and 2021-22 are not comparable to totals for earlier years, because since 2009-10 the questionnaire did not include an item on insubordination. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 5Prior to 2005-06, the questionnaire wording was simply "a weapon other than a firearm" (instead of "a weapon other than a firearm or explosive device"). | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 6Prior to 2019-20, the questionnaire wording was "specialized" schools. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 7Includes all students involved in committing the listed offenses regardless of the disciplinary action taken. If more than one student was involved in a single incident, each student was counted separately. If one student was involved in multiple incidents, that student was counted more than once; for example, a student involved in two separate incidents would be counted twice. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| NOTE: Serious disciplinary actions include out-of-school suspensions lasting 5 or more days, but less than the remainder of the school year; removals with no continuing services for at least the remainder of the school year; and transfers to alternative schools for disciplinary reasons (prior to 2019-20, the questionnaire wording was "specialized" schools). Responses were provided by the principal or the person most knowledgeable about crime and safety issues at the school. Detail may not sum to totals because of rounding and because schools that reported serious disciplinary actions in response to more than one type of offense were counted only once in the total number or percentage of schools. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SOURCE: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, 1999-2000, 2003-04, 2005-06, 2007-08, 2009-10, 2015-16, 2017-18, 2019-20, and 2021-22 School Survey on Crime and Safety (SSOCS), 2000, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2016, 2018, 2020, and 2022. (This table was prepared November 2023.) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
