Black students are disproportionately suspended and arrested compared to white students, according to new data released from the Department of Education.

The Civil Rights Data Collection for the 2015–16 school year, released Tuesday, show that while black students made up 15 percent of the total student population across U.S. public schools and districts, 31 percent of students who were arrested or referred to law enforcement were black.

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At the same time, white students made up 49 percent of all enrolled students but accounted for 36 percent of students who were arrested or referred to police.

That 16-point disparity in black student enrollment and law enforcement referrals marks an increase from the 11-point gap found in the department's 2013–14 data.

Black students disproportionately reported being harassed or bullied for their race, with 35 percent reporting such allegations.

School-wide disciplinary measures were also found to be geared disproportionately toward black students.

Black male students faced a notable gap for out-of-school suspensions, with the demographic making up 8 percent of overall male enrollment but accounting for 25 percent of all reported suspensions. Data for black female student suspensions showed a similar pattern, with the group representing 8 percent of all female students but 14 percent of suspensions.

Data on expulsions also revealed a significant gap for black male students — they made up 23 percent of all male expulsions.

A Government Accountability Office report released earlier this month also found that black students were more likely to be suspended, receive corporal punishment or to have a school-related arrest.

The new data comes as Education Secretary Betsy DeVos Elizabeth (Betsy) Dee DeVosSpecial counsel investigating DeVos for potential Hatch Act violation: report NEA president says Azar and DeVos should resign over school reopening guidance The Hill's 12:30 Report - Presented by Facebook - You might want to download TikTok now MORE considers rescinding Obama-era guidance meant to prevent black students from being disciplined more severely than white students.

DeVos told education advocates earlier this month that the department hasn't reached a decision on the guidance, but civil rights groups fear that it will be rescinded.

The secretary said in a statement released along with the data that "protecting all students' civil rights is at the core of the Department's mission."

Rep. Barbara Lee Barbara Jean LeeOvernight Defense: Pentagon redirects pandemic funding to defense contractors | US planning for full Afghanistan withdrawal by May | Anti-Trump GOP group puts ads in military papers Democrats call for investigation into Pentagon redirecting COVID-19 funds Steph, Ayesha Curry to be recognized by the Congressional Hunger Center MORE (D-Calif.) also pressed DeVos on the disproportionate discipline of black students during a congressional hearing last month.

“Madam Secretary, you just don’t care much about civil rights of black and brown children. This is horrible," Lee said at the hearing.