(DNAINFO)  Amy Zimmer | November 2, 2015 — There were roughly 9,000 fewer suspensions in city schools last year than in the previous one — a 17 percent drop, Department of Education officials said.

In all, there were 44,626 suspensions in the 2014-2015 school year for the 1.1 million-student system, officials said.

The decline was even greater — a 20 percent dip — when comparing the number of suspensions in the spring term after the de Blasio administration announced changes to the school discipline code.

The changes came after social justice advocates clamored for reform, condemning the system for creating a “schools-to-prison pipeline,” especially for black and Hispanic boys.

Source: Schools Suspended 9,000 Fewer Students Last Year, City Says – Civic Center – DNAinfo.com New York