"'Unfortunately,' Rodriguez says, 'for many of the minority students, they don't come to school with the values that would allow them to be successful in this type of environment.'"

This article details the disproportionate nature of student discipline referrals. One gem of insight from a random statistician was: "It found that students sent to alternative schools are five times more likely to drop out - and they're more likely to end up in prison."

That's a shocker! Students who get in trouble so much that they get suspended and placed in alternative schools to prevent them from injuring other students or preventing teachers from doing their jobs are more likely to drop out and go to prison. Truly, a revelation that needed diligent study and analysis!

LINK: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=11363621