By The Numbers

Area Out-Of-School Suspensions

2011-12

Bentonville 168 students

Fayetteville 718 students

Rogers 554 students

Springdale data not available

2010-11

Bentonville 230 students

Fayetteville 684 students

Rogers 766 students

Springdale 733 students

2009-10

Bentonville 216 students

Fayetteville 528 students

Rogers 699 students

Springdale 737 students

Source: Arkansas Department Of Education

At A Glance

State Law

According to Arkansas law a student can be suspended from school for up to 10 days or expelled for certain infractions. The law directs school districts to establish policies for assault, possession of a firearm, other weapon, alcohol and for damaging school property. The law also requires districts to provide a hearing. Possession of a weapon requires expulsion for one year, but districts have discretion in other punishments.

During in-school suspension students complete assigned work for credit, but outside their regular classes.

Out-of-school suspension is reserved for more difficult cases, administrators said. Disciplinary categories tracked by the state include insubordination, fighting, weapon, drugs and alcohol violations. School districts vary in the amount of credit given for out-of-school work while suspended.

Source: Staff Report