Montgomery Co, MD: Special needs students are 37 percent of suspensions
- The end of childhood
- Oct 31, 2025
- 2 min read
Oct 29, 2025, Baltimore Banner: More Montgomery County students suspended so far this year
More suspensions went to students who are Hispanic, learning English or in special education
Montgomery County schools saw an increase in student suspensions at the start of this school year.
During the first five weeks of classes, the district recorded 296 out-of-school suspensions compared to 230 during the same period last school year.
The 29% increase was driven by more suspensions handed down to Hispanic students, children who are learning English and those who receive special education services.
The numbers — which will be discussed Thursday at the Montgomery County Public Schools board meeting — provide a glimpse into how the district’s new code of conduct is playing out. The data covers the first day of school through Sept. 30.
Some advocacy groups previously raised concerns that changes to the code of conduct could lower the threshold to kick students out of class, leading to more children of color and kids with disabilities facing suspension.
“MCPS did not prevent it,” said Danielle Blocker, the director of Young People for Progress, after reviewing the numbers.
Montgomery County schools spokeswoman Liliana López cautioned that the data is a “very early snapshot” and not a forecast for the rest of the school year.
Officials constantly monitor numbers so they can make necessary changes, she added.
“As schools adjust to the newly revised Student Code of Conduct, some variation in early numbers is expected,” she wrote in an email. “While some schools are seeing increases that we are actively addressing, others have already shown that meaningful reductions are possible through consistent implementation and restorative practices.” . . .
Roughly 37% of those who were suspended receive special education services.
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