DES MOINES, Iowa — A new report from the ACLU of Iowa says federal data shows Black students and students with disabilities are disproportionately referred to law enforcement and arrested in Iowa schools.
The ACLU said about one-quarter of Iowa schools have a school resource officer, or SRO. Those law enforcement officers are typically assigned to schools to assist with security, mentor students and prevent crime.
“A black student in Iowa is referred to law enforcement at twice the rate of all other students that are not black and arrested at nearly four times the rate of all other students that are not black,” said Jacob Sarasin, an attorney and legal fellow with the ACLU of Iowa. “Despite again no evidence of behavioral differences. Students with disabilities is referred to law enforcement or arrested at 2.3 times the rate of a student without disability.”…