Photos: L.A. Unified suspension rates fall

Patrick Bryant, 14, an eighth-grader at Gompers Middle School in South Los Angeles, dances inside a drum circle during a school carnival celebrating “peace week,” a program to improve behavior and reduce discipline problems. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)

May 31, 2014 7:40 AM PT

The drop came after the Los Angeles Board of Education and superintendent called for fewer suspensions as concern grew nationwide that removing students from school imperils their academic achievement and disproportionately harms minorities. But some question the figures’ accuracy.

Keylyn Perryman, center, and Gisselle Quezada, right, perform with shakers at the Gompers Middle School “peace week” carnival. The school has reported a decline in the number of student suspensions and incidents of misbehavior. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)

After administrators questioned the high rate of suspensions at Gompers, Principal Traci Gholar asked for more resources, including a conflict resolution specialist, a restorative justice coordinator, more campus aides, performing arts events and other activities. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)

The extra help seems to have made a difference at Gompers. According to school data, incidents involving student misbehavior declined from 1,035 in the last school year to 663 as of May of this year. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)

Gompers Principal Traci Gholar lets students duct tape her to a board as part of the “peace week” carnival. Following a trend around L.A. Unified, Gompers has reduced its suspension rates in favor of alternative disciplinary actions. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)