The gap between black and Latino high school students and their peers in Montgomery County in behavioral problems and dropout rates continues to grow, according to a new study of the school system by the County Council.

In 2007, 14.8 percent of black high school students were suspended at some point during the year – a 4.1 increase since 2000. About 9.5 percent of Latino student were suspended in the past school year – up 2.1 percent since 2000. White students, though, only saw a 3.3 percent suspension rate in 2007, down from 4 percent in 2000.