%0 Journal Article %T Examining the Infractions Causing Higher Rates of Suspensions and Expulsions: Racial and Ethnic Considerations %A Craig J. Forsyth %A Holly Howat %A Lai K. Pei %A York A. Forsyth %A Gary Asmus %A Billy R. Stokes %J Laws %D 2013 %I MDPI AG %R 10.3390/laws2010020 %X This study investigated school discipline infractions leading to suspensions and expulsions in Louisiana to determine patterns and trends, particularly among racial/ethnic groups. Discipline incident data rather than student discipline data were used to provide a more accurate reflection of the number of infractions and dispositions occurring. Findings included that black students and American Indian students had a higher percentage of out-of-school suspensions and were more likely to commit an infraction in the violent discipline infractions category, but the overwhelming majority of offenses for all groups were for non-violent and non-drug offenses. Links to juvenile delinquency and zero tolerance policies are discussed. %K discipline problem %K suspension/expulsion rate %K ethnicity/race %U http://www.mdpi.com/2075-471X/2/1/20