“Suspensions are down,” said Rahm and Byrd-Bennett. Don’t believe the hype.

Many were suspicious when CPS CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett and Mayor Emanuel released some data claiming CPS was suspending less students.

But a study by Catalyst’s sharp-eyed Sara Karp showed the claim was as bogus as the value of an ISAT test.

Karp found that:

While high school suspensions are down by 10,000 students, enrollment in regular Chicago high schools is down by 6,000 students due to the increase in charter enrollments. Charters are not required to report suspension data.

Suspensions among Pre-K and Kindergarten students are up by almost 50%, even though the practice violates district policy.

Every single CPS elementary school grade level increased the number of students that faced suspension.

Predominantly Black and Latino schools saw the largest increase in suspensions. 80% of elementary school suspensions were Black students.

High school suspensions went from 66% Black students in 20122 to 71% last year.

40% of CPS students are Black.

A sorry, racist record of achievement for Rahm and BBB.