Lawmakers Must Act to Address Economic Costs of Student Suspensions

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A new report highlights the long-term economic consequences of out-of-school suspensions in Connecticut, with data showing the cost of incarceration far exceeds the cost of education. Researchers argue the state legislature must act to limit suspensions and invest in support programs that keep students in school and on a path to graduation.

Why it matters

Out-of-school suspensions have been linked to increased risk of arrest, dropout, and incarceration, creating a 'school-to-prison pipeline' that disproportionately impacts low-income and minority communities. Addressing this issue could yield significant economic benefits for the state by reducing incarceration costs and increasing tax revenue from a more educated workforce.

The details

Research has found students who are suspended are more likely to be arrested, drop out of school, and face long-term challenges like lower college graduation rates and higher rates of probation. In Connecticut, the cost of incarcerating a single student is around $274,000 per year, compared to $18,654 to educate a student annually. Applying this math to Waterbury's 172 school-based arrests in 2022-23, incarcerating just a quarter of those students would cost taxpayers over $11 million. Investing in education and support programs instead could create a positive economic cycle, with high school graduates more likely to find jobs, increase tax revenue, and require less public assistance.

• In the 2022-23 school year, Waterbury recorded 172 school-based arrests.
• Between 2010 and 2022, the median household income in Waterbury declined from $56,554 to $53,573.

What’s next

The Connecticut state legislature is expected to consider bills this year that would limit the use of out-of-school suspensions in an effort to address the long-term economic and social consequences.