MARTIN COUNTY, Fla. — The superintendent of the Martin County School District said he has a goal for this school year that isn't something most school leaders want to talk about: suspensions.
Superintendent Michael Maine said he wants to reduce the disproportionate number of African American students who are receiving out-of-school suspensions for things like battery or an arrest on campus.
WPTV education reporter Stephanie Susskind examined the numbers and why the superintendent said this is a problem the district needs to tackle.
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"With your African American students, they make up a small percentage of the school population. Under 10%. But the out-of-school suspensions were above 20%," Susskind addressed Maine.
"Yes. You are absolutely right," Maine answered. "And that, for me as superintendent, and for any school administrator or district administrator, is disheartening."
Maine acknowledged the Martin County School District may not be meeting the needs of its minority students.
"It's not always the kid," Maine said. "Sometimes, we are not doing things the way we should be doing things in-house. And that's OK to admit. We're not going to be perfect, but we need to look at that data and use that data to provide training opportunities for our staff and our teachers to help decrease those problems."
Maine said they need to do a better job with training teachers on classroom management, communication, and staying calm.
"Looking inwardly at our practices in-house to make sure we are decreasing the number of African American students and Hispanic students that are receiving multiple disciplines over and over again," Maine said.
According to analysis of Florida Department of Education and Martin County School District records, Black students make up about 7% of the student population, but about 22% of out-of-school suspensions. White students make up 53% of the population but 41% of the out-of-school suspensions, and Hispanic students make up about 34% of the population and about 33% of the out-of-school suspensions.
We took our findings from the Florida Department of Education and Martin County School District data to Martin County NAACP President Jimmy Smith. He said the disparity is nothing new.
"[Black students] feel they are not being supported, and they don't feel a part of the school system. Because when you don't have people who look like you around, diversity, it has an impact on our kids feeling like they are a part," Smith said.
Smith believes a lot of the problems come down to a lack of understanding and representation.
"We have to help these teachers find ways to understand the culture of others. And when they don't act the way you were raised and taught, that doesn't mean they are not a good kid," Smith said.
Smith said he is encouraged to see Superintendent Maine tackling the issue. He said the NAACP and school district are working together to form committees to look at what needs to be done and come up with strategies to improve.
Maine also said they are creating a "school within a school" model at middle schools that has helped in the high schools to create opportunities for in-school suspension instead of out of school.
"That will allow school administrators to assign a student in school suspension versus putting them out of school, and do a bunch of different educational programming. Character education, different types of things that would help to mitigate or retrain the brain to make different choices to do things differently this time around that would allow them to stay in school and continue their work, and allow teachers to come in and check in on them, versus putting them out of school where we really don't have control on what's happening," Maine said. "Often, a student who is suspended is home alone. And that's not doing anyone any favors. And it's certainly not making sure that student is getting an education. And in many cases, they want to be home."
COMMUNITY SUPPORT
Tykes and Teens is a children's mental health organization on the Treasure Coast. It operates a program called ALTOSS: Alternative to Out of School Suspension.
"The school can make a referral to us, or the parent can bring the child in. And then if they attend the out of school suspension program, the suspension doesn't count against their attendance," said Jay Biscanian, the director of operations and prevention for Tykes and Teens. "So they are counted as being present and they have the opportunity then to make up school work."
WATCH: Tykes and Teens talks student suspensions on Treasure Coast
Biscanian said they have a curriculum focused on character development and the students also have an opportunity for community service.
Biscanian added that kids who attend the ALTOSS program are about 40% less likely to be suspended again.
"Kids need to be in school. They need the opportunity to learn and socialize. And a lot of that was taken away from kids during COVID. I think what we're seeing now is some of these behaviors stem from the isolation and trauma of what they went through in the pandemic," Biscanian said. "It's important they get the opportunity to reflect on what happened and problem solve and come up with new strategies and ways to deal with whatever problems arise in school, so they can be more successful in the future."
Biscanian said the program is open to high school and middle school students for the duration of their suspension. They saw about 200 Martin County kids in the program last year. He added tgat a strong partnership with the school district helps to make it successful. Most of the students who come to ALTOSS are suspended because of verbal and physical fights and substance abuse, Biscanian said.
