Anne Arundel County suspended 9.8 percent, slightly less than a few years ago. Harford County suspended 7.8 percent of students and Carroll 4.9 percent. While most students spend no more than 10 days out of school, about a third of those suspended last year were suspended more than once.
Carroll and Howard counties seek alternatives to suspension whenever possible.
Rather than suspend students for smoking, disrespect or cutting class, administrators in Carroll County require them to attend Saturday school in Westminster, where they take classes on such issues as conflict resolution, making reasonable choices or the health effects of smoking. "We have zero tolerance for the behavior," said Dana Falls, director of student services in the county, "We do not have zero tolerance for kids."
Howard County offers support and counseling to students with behavior problems.
"The thing that too often happens with suspensions is that you come back and no one does anything differently," said Craig Cummings, coordinator of alternative programs in Howard County.
Even in the best of circumstances, a 10-day suspension can be traumatic, said the mother of a Howard County student. Her son, suspended for having a small amount of marijuana at school and required to attend drug counseling, had difficulty keeping up in his high-level, challenging classes.
"It doesn't seem very natural to punish students by making it hard to learn," said the mother, who spoke anonymously so her son wouldn't be identified.
Baltimore County has the toughest policies west of the Bay Bridge. It is "very rigid and very tough," said Dunbar Brooks, Maryland state school board president and a former Baltimore County school board member.
Some principals would rather strictly enforce the discipline code than make judgments because they feel they are less likely to be criticized by teachers or parents, according to Brooks. But many principals also believe in the policies.
"I do support zero tolerance. I think kids need to be very clear about where the line is," said Phillip Taylor, principal at Cockeysville Middle School. But he also believes that a school has to do everything it can to keep students in school. Many suspensions come after a series of small infractions, he said.
