Drug & Alcohol Suspensions Down Sharply at La Jolla High

A total of 193 students were suspended from La Jolla High School in 2011-2012, including 22 for possession, use or the sale of alcohol or drugs, say state figures released late last month.

Some 29 La Jolla High students were suspended for causing, attempting or threatening physical injury for the same school year, according to the state Department of Education, which released the data last month.

The vast majority of suspensions involved “disruption or defiance” incidents—126 data show. Other factors included bullying, used force or violence, property theft, property damage, possession or use of tobacco and possession or sale of a weapon—each with 6 or less incidents.

The total number of incidents at La Jolla High School reduced from 264 in 2010-2011 to 193 in 2011-2012. The largest reductions were seen in disruption and defiance, and possession and use of alcohol and drugs. The number of incidents for disruption and defiance reduced from 164 incidents in 2010-2011 to 126 incidents in 2011-12. In addition, drug and alcohol use and possession reduced 45 percent from 40 incidents to 22 for the same period.

Data indicates that no students were expelled last year at La Jolla High School.

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson announced the data release April 19.

The data shows a total of 366,629 students suspended and 9,553 students expelled among the more than 6 million public school students in California, a suspension rate of 5.7 percent, and an expulsion rate of 0.1 percent.

“Common sense tells us that we cannot teach students who are not in school,” Torlakson said. “I hope that parents, teachers, administrators, and students see this information as the starting point for discussions about how to find alternatives to suspension that sustain healthy learning environments while keeping as many students as possible in class.”

A review of the data indicates there are some differences in the rates at which some student groups are suspended, the state said.

For example, the data show African-American students are 6.5 percent of total enrollment, but make up 19 percent of suspensions. White students are 26 percent of total enrollment, but represent 20 percent of suspensions. Hispanic students are 52 percent of total enrollment, and 54 percent of suspensions.  

The Department of Education says it is working on several initiatives to address differences in rates by identifying positive alternatives to suspension and expulsion, as well as developing effective strategies to improve attendance as part of an overarching initiative to keep students in school.

“The department has partnered with several organizations to work on these initiatives, including The California Endowment, the California Blue Ribbon Commission on Children in Foster Care, the Region IX Equity Assistance Center at WestEd, and Attendance Works,” said a news release.

The 2011-12 suspension and expulsion, as well as truancy reports, are available on the Department of Education’s DataQuest site.

The reports may be viewed by the state, county, district, and school level. Reports on the most serious federal offense are available as part of the persistently dangerous school reporting requirement under the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act.