Suspensions in city schools plunged by 44.5 percent during the last academic year, officials said.

While much of the dip stemmed from the transition to remote learning in March due to the coronavirus, the Department of Education said suspensions were down by 12.7 percent prior to the closure.

There were a total of 18,215 suspensions last year compared to 32,801 in 2018-2019.

African American city kids accounted for 43 percent last year’s total suspensions, followed by Hispanic students at 40 percent, whites at 9 percent and Asians at 5 percent, according to DOE figures.

Critics have long maintained that city teachers and administrators issue suspensions along racially discriminatory lines due to implicit biases.

The DOE said Tuesday that the average length of suspensions dropped last year along with duration disparities by race.

“COVID-19 has put a spotlight on the role schools play for young people grappling with loss, grief, and trauma, and the investments we’ve made over the years have laid the groundwork for our students to feel safe and supported, whether in person or remotely,” Schools Chancellor Richard Carranza said in a statement.

The DOE has sought to stanch suspensions in recent years, arguing that they are meted out in a racially disproportionate manner and result in worsened outcomes for students.

The number of suspensions last year was down by 66 percent since the 2014 school year, according to the DOE.

Backers of the effort to limit suspensions have lobbied for less punitive measures like restorative justice circles and counseling.

Critics of the campaign contend that curbing suspensions for disruptive kids harms overall classroom climate.

“We will continue to lead with education, empathy, and repairing harm as we drive down suspensions and keep our school communities safe,” Carranza said.