The report, based on federal government data from 2015-16, also found that racial disparities in suspensions remain an acute problem. Nationwide, African-American students lost five times as many days as white students.
School districts are trying a variety of strategies aimed at creating safe and welcoming school environments, but there is controversy over the role and frequency of student surveys, and how to use them.
With the current ban on such suspensions for grades K-3 set to expire in July, a bill that would expand the ban to include all schools is making its way through the state Legislature.
New state data shows 46 percent drop in school suspensions over the last five years. The suspension rate for African American students in 2016-17 was 9.8 percent, for Latino students 3.7 percent, for white students 3.2 percent, and for Asian students 1.1 percent.
