New Report Shows Black Girls Face More Frequent Discipline In School—Here's What Parents Need to Know

Experts analyze the data and provide advice for how parents can navigate systemic issues in school.

A new study from the U.S. Government Accountability Office says Black girls face more frequent and severe discipline in public schools than girls from other racial backgrounds .

The study reveals Black girls accounted for 45% of out-of-school suspensions, 37% of in-school suspensions, and 43% of expulsions for actions in public schools labeled as " defiance , disrespect , and disruption ."

More data reveals that Black girls in public schools received exclusionary discipline at rates 3 to 5.2 times those of white girls. Additionally, when Black girls had a disability , discipline rates grew even larger.

The study further found that for Black girls who are part of the LGBTQ community or identified with other levels of diversity, punishments were more dramatic.

Massachusetts Rep. Ayanna Pressley, former House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and Connecticut Rep. Rosa DeLauro asked the GAO to create this study on school discipline. The report—which took a year and a half to complete—offers a first look at the disciplinary disparities in public schools across the United States and systemic racial issues Black girls face.

"So influential is this negative perception of Black girls that teachers can be given a scenario where they view the same behavior from a white and Black female student and will still be more likely to interpret the behavior of the Black female student as deviant," says Steven Kniffley Jr., PsyD, Senior Associate Dean and Associate Professor, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, who isn't part of the study.

He adds, "As was noted in the study, the consequences of this stereotype-informed interpretation of Black female behavior are higher rates of discipline, poorer grades, and ultimately school disengagement."

Here's how licensed psychologists and educators are reacting to the data and what they're advising moving forward.

Protecting Black Girls Requires Clear Perspective

The 85-page GAO study found that during the 2017-2018 school year, Black girls received nearly half the punishments, despite representing just 15% of girls attending public schools. And Black girls in K-12 public schools received the highest rates of exclusionary discipline.

The results reveal that school poverty levels, the percentage of girls facing disabilities, the number of new teachers, and the presence of a school resource officer were among the factors that led to increased discipline for Black girls. Other contributing factors include racism, colorism, and other biases, such as perceiving Black girls as older and more mature than other girls.

Veda Green-Johnson, MEd, and founder of Building Brighter Kids says the "adultification" of Black girls in the eyes of authority figures causes problems, on either end of the spectrum.

"[Black girls] are not confidantes, nor are they criminals," she says. "Building rapport does not mean teachers should loosen boundaries; expectations should be clear and have equitable consequences. But when teachers look at Black girls, they should see girls, not women. We need to teach Black girls to be confident in their identity, image, and intellect while not being misinterpreted as disrespectful or defiant."

Combating Systemic Inequality

The first step in fixing any problem is admitting one exists. The GAO study shows a clear systemic pattern of bias toward punishing Black girls, and both parents and educators need to work together to root it out of the education system.

Texas-based educator, Danielle Hollaway-Hoyte, EdD, confirms this, saying witnessing the stark differences in how behavior is perceived and addressed is disheartening.

"As a Black female educator, I've seen firsthand how the discipline system in schools can disproportionately impact Black girls," she says. "While we all know that children of all backgrounds can be energetic and sometimes act out, Black girls often face harsher consequences for the same behaviors that their peers might shrug off. This isn't just an isolated issue; it reflects deep-seated biases within our educational institutions."

Dr. Hollaway-Hoyte goes on to say that while systemic issues remain, she strives to create an environment where students feel safe expressing themselves and their voices are valued.

"I often find myself advocating for restorative practices over punitive measures, emphasizing understanding and empathy rather than punishment," she explains. "We must work collectively to dismantle these biases and implement training that fosters a more inclusive and supportive environment."

Ohio-licensed Clinical Psychologist Krystal L. Drake says the GAO report highlights the importance of education among school staff on the implementation of culturally responsive practices and eliminating implicit bias.

"Consequently, awareness of the disparities and enhancements to those systems can help alleviate the psychological impact on Black girls, promote their overall well-being, and improve educational outcomes," she observes.

Open Communication Guards Against Silent Oppression

As a parent of six children and two grandchildren, I've learned that it's better to know what's going on with your kids, even when it's hard to hear. Creating a safe space that allows children to share the unvarnished truth without fear of punishment promotes frequent, open communication.

Dr. Hollaway-Hoyte emphasizes the importance of parent-child communication when it comes to preparing Black girls for the cultural realities they face.

"As both a teacher and parent to Black girls, having open conversations about race and the potential for biased treatment is necessary to empower young girls to navigate challenging situations with resilience," she says. "Fostering a solid support system at home can provide emotional grounding. We can create a united front emphasizing the importance of understanding, respect, and love."

Dr. Hollaway-Hoyte further notes that encouraging kids to articulate their feelings and experiences fosters a strong sense of self-worth, equipping them with tools to advocate for themselves.

Through awareness, parents of Black girls can also help communicate the bigger picture. "Black girls will then be less likely to internalize negative stereotypes," says Dr. Kniffley Jr.. "Through advocacy, parents of Black girls can teach [their kids] how to identify racial microaggressions [and] utilize adaptive coping strategies."

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