<p>A growing body of research has illuminated the contemporary effects of the legacy of slavery. Specifically, scholars have found slavery to be consequential for a host of macro- and micro-level factors, including poverty, inequality, victimization, and punishment within the criminal justice system. However, less attention has been given to the possibility that historical institutions—for example, American slavery—may impact how punishment is meted out in American schools. By analyzing a sample of schools, school districts, and counties, the current study addresses this void by exploring whether slavery, racial segregation, and unemployment are associated with missed days of instruction due to school suspensions. The findings suggest that the effects of slavery are associated with contemporary days of missed instruction due to suspension. Moreover, the results suggest that racial segregation and unemployment moderate the relationship between slavery and days of missed instruction due to suspension.</p>