Illinois lawmakers want study on racial discipline gap

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) -- An Illinois Senate education leader wants a task force to study the widening racial gap in school discipline numbers.

Sen. Kimberly Lightford says the Senate will vote in January to form a group to review and make recommendations on stemming an inordinate number of suspensions and expulsions handed out to black students.

An Associated Press analysis found that black students account for half of all school suspensions while making up only a fifth of the enrollment.

Chicago Democratic Rep. Esther Golar suggested monitoring the reasons for punishment in a long-term study.

Florida enacted a law this year requiring schools to set standard discipline guidelines and report the reasons for discipline by gender and race.

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