For the second consecutive year, the number of students expelled and suspended from school across California declined, according to a report Wednesday from State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson.

Results were mixed in the William S. Hart Union High School District. According to California Department of Education data, the Hart District saw a dramatic drop in suspensions – from 1,709 students in 2012-13 to just 620 in 2013-14 – while the number of expulsions increased from 25 students to 35.

Locally, leading the way in the raw number of expulsions during the 2013-14 school year were Hart High, Sierra Vista Junior High and Rancho Pico Junior High, each with 5.

Next came Valencia High and Canyon High, each with 4.

As a percentage of the student population, the Hart District’s Sequoia Charter School registered the highest expulsion rate (2.9 percent of students) and suspension rate (18.8 percent).

Bowman High School reported the second-highest suspension rate, at 8.3 percent, followed by Sierra Vista (4.3 percent), La Mesa Junior High (3.3 percent), Canyon and West Ranch High (2.9 percent), Golden Valley High (2.8 percent) and SCVi Charter School (2.6 percent).

Reporting zero (0) expulsions for 2013-14 were Academy of the Canyons, Albert Einstein Academy, Learning Post, Mission View, Opportunities for Learning, Rio Norte Junior High, SCVi Charter and Transitional Learning Center Charter.

Reporting zero (0) suspensions were Academy of the Canyons, Mission View and Opportunities for Learning.

Overall, the Hart District’s suspension rate for 2013-14 was 2.2 percent, versus 2.8 percent for L.A. County and 4.4 for the state.

By comparison, the prior year’s suspension rate in the Hart District was 5.7 percent, somewhat higher than the county (3.5 percent) and state (5.1 percent) averages.

In both of the prior two years, the expulsion rate for each jurisdiction was a statistically insignificant 0.1 percent because the raw numbers are small compared to the total student population.

During 2013-14, the Hart District expelled 35 of a census population of 25,640. In Los Angeles County the numbers were 740 expulsions and a population of 1,552,704. Statewide, expulsions numbered 6,611 from a census population of 6.24 million.

Torlakson credited state programs for the overall decline in suspensions and expulsions.

“To reduce the number of expulsions and suspensions,” his statement said, “the CDE has taken several steps, including hosting a forum and workshops, and posting Behavioral Intervention Strategies and Supports. In addition, the CDE has worked with several education groups to develop restorative justice programs that promote respect, taking responsibility, and strengthening relationships.

“Before such programs were implemented, the greatest percentage of students suspended or expelled was for ‘willful defiance.’ For the second year in a row, the highest percentage declines came under this category. Last year, 261 fewer students were expelled for defiance-related offenses, down 47.7 percent from the year before. Another 76,296 fewer students were suspended for defiance-related offenses, down 28.9 percent from the year before.”