Indicator 4 - Suspension/Expulsion

Measurement, Effective 2024-2025 School Year

Indicator 4A

• Percent = [(# of LEAs that meet the State-established n and/or cell size (if applicable) that have a significant discrepancy, as defined by the State, in the rates of suspensions and expulsions for more than 10 days during the school year of children with IEPs) divided by the (# of LEAs in the State that meet the State-established n and/or cell size (if applicable))] times 100.
• Colorado identifies an AU as having a “significant discrepancy” if an AU’s out-of-school greater-than-10-day suspension/expulsion rate is more than 2.0 times of the State's out-of-school greater-than-10-day suspension/expulsion rate for the current reporting year.
  • AUs who fall between 1.5 and 2.0 will receive a warning letter to examine their policies, procedures, and practices; and the opportunity to receive CDE technical assistance.

Indicator 4B

• Percent = [(# of LEAs that meet the State-established n and/or cell size (if applicable) for one or more racial/ethnic groups that have: (a) a significant discrepancy, as defined by the State, by race or ethnicity, in the rates of suspensions and expulsions of more than 10 days during the school year of children with IEPs; and (b) policies, procedures or practices that contribute to the significant discrepancy, as defined by the State, and do not comply with requirements relating to the development and implementation of IEPs, the use of positive behavioral interventions and supports, and procedural safeguards) divided by the (# of LEAs in the State that meet the State-established n and/or cell size (if applicable) for one or more racial/ethnic groups)] times 100.
• Colorado identifies an AU as having a “significant discrepancy” if 1) 5 or more students of a particular racial category received greater-than-10-day out-of-school suspension/expulsion, and that race’s suspension/expulsion rate was more than 1.5 times of the State’s rate for the current reporting year; 2) the policies, practices, and procedures contributed to the significant discrepancy. The seven federal racial categories (i.e., White, Hispanic, Black, Native Americans, Pacific Islanders, Asians, and Two or more Races) are examined.

Measurement through the 2023-2024 SY

Indicator 4A. 

• Percent = [(# of LEAs that meet the State-established n and/or cell size (if applicable) that have a significant discrepancy, as defined by the State, in the rates of suspensions and expulsions for more than 10 days during the school year of children with IEPs) divided by the (# of LEAs in the State that meet the State-established n and/or cell size (if applicable))] times 100.
• Colorado identifies an AU as having a “significant discrepancy” if an AU’s out-of-school greater-than-10-day suspension/expulsion rate is more than 4 times of the State's out-of-school greater-than-10-day suspension/expulsion rate for 3 consecutive school years.

Indicator 4B.

• Percent = [(# of LEAs that meet the State-established n and/or cell size (if applicable) for one or more racial/ethnic groups that have: (a) a significant discrepancy, as defined by the State, by race or ethnicity, in the rates of suspensions and expulsions of more than 10 days during the school year of children with IEPs; and (b) policies, procedures or practices that contribute to the significant discrepancy, as defined by the State, and do not comply with requirements relating to the development and implementation of IEPs, the use of positive behavioral interventions and supports, and procedural safeguards) divided by the (# of LEAs in the State that meet the State-established n and/or cell size (if applicable) for one or more racial/ethnic groups)] times 100.
• Colorado identifies an AU as having a “significant discrepancy” if 1) 5 or more students of a particular racial category received greater-than-10-day out-of-school suspension/expulsion, and that race’s suspension/expulsion rate was more than 4 times of the state’s rate for 3 consecutive school years; 2) the policies, practices, and procedures contributed to the significant discrepancy. The seven federal racial categories (i.e., White, Hispanic, Black, Native Americans, Pacific Islanders, Asians, and Two or more Races) are examined.

How is Colorado doing on this indicator?

Further special education discipline data can be on our Special Education Data Page

Additional Resources

• Equity Requirements in IDEA: A comparison of Indicators 4, 9, 10, and Significant Disproportionality
• Please note that Indicator 4 is different from the significant disproportionality requirements (20 U.S.C. 1418(d) and 34 CFR §§ 300.646-647) (External Link)
• Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) (Link)