Suspension Rate Calculation

Suspension data vary by local education agency (LEA) and school type. For example, rates at the middle school level are generally higher than at the elementary school level. Therefore, different sets of cut scores are used to determine performance for this measure. LEAs and schools receive the appropriate cut scores and five-by-five colored table based on their school type (elementary, middle, and high) or LEA type (elementary, high, and unified). Another distinguishing feature of this measure is that the goal is reversed. For most of the other measures, the desired outcome is a high number or percent in the current year and an increase from the prior year. For this measure, however, the desired outcome is a low suspension rate, which means a low percent in the current year and a decline from the prior year rate.

Calculations

Performance on this measure is determined by (1) the percent of students in a school or district or student group who were suspended anytime during the school year, and (2) whether results (i.e., the suspension rate) increased or declined from the prior year.

Suspension Rate Formula

Number of Students Suspended in Current Year divided by Cumulative Enrollment

Difference from Prior Year Suspension Rate Formula

Current Year Suspension Rate minus Prior Year Suspension Rate

Determining a Performance Level

Based on the current year and prior year data, a performance level (or color) will be given for this measure. The performance level is determined by using a five-by-five colored grid.

Example: Little League Elementary School has the following suspension rate data:

• In the current year, its suspension rate was 4.0 percent
• From the prior year to the current one, the suspension rate declined by 1.6 percentage points

Using the five-by-five grid for Elementary School Suspension Rate, we see that suspension rate of 4.0 percent is considered “High” (see left column). At the same time, a decline of 1.6 percentage points from the prior year is significant (see top row). On the grid, "High" and "Declined Significantly" intersect at the Yellow performance level.