Minority students in Arizona are significantly more likely to be suspended from school.

According to new data released by the ACLU, African American students are eight times more likely to be suspended from school than their white peers, Latino students are six times more likely and Native American students are 10 times more likely.

The study was published as the organization launched a new initiative to reduce excessive disciplinary practices that can disproportionately push some student groups out of school.

Yara Vargas is a parent representative with the initiative known as Demand to Learn.

"Our education system is a public education system. For all. Not for just a few," Vargas said. "We need to make sure that we enforce it. We need to make sure that we the families choose our schools. Not the schools choose us."

Several valley districts including Phoenix Union High School District, Arizona School For the Arts and Fowler Elementary School District say they’ll be working with the group to address the issue.

Listen to an interview with Alessandra Soler, executive director of the ACLU of Arizona, on The Show.