SOME OF THE ISSUES DEALT WITH INCLUDE HOW MANY CHILDREN ARE SUSPENDED, WHY AND HOW, THE SUSPENDED CHILD, RACIAL DISCRIMINATION, THE PURPOSE OF SUSPENSION, AND THE NOTION OF OFFENSE AND DUE PROCESS. CASE STUDIES OF SUSPENDED CHILDREN ARE INCLUDED THROUGHOUT THE REPORT. THE DIFFERENT MEASURES SOME SCHOOL DISTRICTS ARE TRYING AS ALTERNATIVES TO SUSPENSIONS ARE ALSO EXAMINED. THESE INCLUDE BEHAVIOR CONTRACTS, PEER GROUP COUNSELING, SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS FOR STUDENTS WITH DISCIPLINE PROBLEMS, IN-SCHOOL 'CRISIS' ROOMS OR CENTERS, AND WORKSTUDY ALTERNATIVES TO TRADITIONAL EDUCATION. THIS REPORT IS BASED ON AN ANALYSIS OF SUSPENSION DATA SUBMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE'S OFFICE FOR CIVIL RIGHTS BY 2862 SCHOOL DISTRICTS, A SURVEY OF OVER 6500 FAMILIES IN NINE STATES AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, AND INTERVIEWS WITH OVER 300 SCHOOL OFFICIALS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS.