Large school system reports fall in suspensions in Alabama

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) - A county school system in Alabama has reported a marked decrease in suspensions and dropouts over the previous year.

The Tuscaloosa News reports Tuscaloosa County School System Director of Student Services Greg Hurst reported to the board of education Monday that suspensions had fallen by 769 and dropouts had fallen by 38.

There were 3,291 suspensions during the 2016-2017 school year, and 63 dropouts, while the number of graduates increased from 1,119 students in the 2015-2016 school year to 1,126. Expulsions increased from six to 11. There are over 18,000 students in the school system.

Hurst credited programs instituted to deal with student incidents, and stronger relationships and success in classrooms.

Tuscaloosa City Schools, with around 10,000 students, noted 1,920 suspensions, down from 2,817 and four expulsions, down from 17.

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Information from: The Tuscaloosa News, https://www.tuscaloosanews.com