West Virginia Schools are facing an uptick in school suspension rates leading to some students to forfeit schooling altogether. Race and socioeconomic class seems to be playing a role in the increase of suspension rates.

According to federal data, reports indicate that black students in the Mountain State are twice as likely to get suspended than their white classmates compared to 20 years ago. National reports show that black students are likely to face punishment for loitering and disrespect opposed to their white classmates.

According to data reported by the education department, black students represented only 4 percent of West Virginia public school students last school year, but they received 10 percent of all out-of-school suspensions and 8 percent of all expulsions.

Data also suggest that students of lower income suffer more consequences and school punishment than their peers.

In 2020, state lawmakers requested the state education department to analyze data and create a statewide program to address how often disciplinary actions are used by local school officials.

The following year, West Virginia lawmakers passed a bill requiring the state Department of Education to analyze school discipline data, make a plan to address the issue and report back every two years.

These staggering reports indicate that students who are often suspended are disproportionately more likely to have poor grades, drop out of school, commit a crime or be incarcerated; this is often referred to as the school-to-prison pipeline.

Wild, Wonderful and Healthy Charleston West Side are taking measures to further understand this trend happening in the state and discussing ways to prevent students in Kanawha County from falling into the school-to-prison pipeline.

WWH encourages students of all ages to take advantage of the recently opened community center highlighting church involvement and sports. The community center is a safe space open to students to practice sports, games and do homework.