Developing Policy on Early Childhood Suspension and Expulsion

[Cat Herder]

"Limiting access to high-quality early education widens the achievement gap at school entry. Expelling children from preschool creates a missed opportunity to address young children’s socio-emotional and cognitive needs prior to school entry. “Preschool behavior problems are the single best predictor of adolescent delinquency and adult imprisonment. Expulsion from preschool leaves young children without access to education and early intervention, and families without support to address children’s behavior challenges. In the absence of these supports, “children are most likely to develop chronic behavior problems, contributing to school failure, peer rejection, substance abuse, truancy, incarceration, unemployment, divorce, psychiatric illness, and early death in adolescence and adulthood” resulting in more costly and long-term interventions.v Therefore, crafting and implementing policies and practices to support administrators, teachers and parents in addressing behavioral and cognitive challenges can help to prevent expulsion and reduce instances of suspension to only when in the best interests of the child."

"This brief includes resources to inform early childhood stakeholders at the state and local level interested in developing policy and guidance for programs to prevent and reduce suspension and expulsion." - https://www.zerotothree.org/resource...-and-expulsion

1. Establishing preventive, disciplinary, suspension, and expulsion policies and administering those policies free of bias and discrimination;
2. Setting goals and using data to monitor progress in preventing, severely limiting, and ultimately eliminating expulsion and suspension practices in early childhood settings; and
3. Implementing early childhood workforce competencies and evidence-based interventions and approaches that prevent expulsion, suspension, and other exclusionary discipline practices, including early childhood mental health consultation and positive behavior intervention and support strategies.

Should we no longer be able to term based on what is best for the group, safety, our own financial security or legal liability? Thoughts?

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

That seems like in an ideal world...

The children I have terminated from my preschool have had parents who do not work to eliminate the behaviors (usually the child is needing to see a psychiatrist or some other professional - seriously). It's a "kids will be kids" attitude or a "what happens at preschool stays at preschool" attitude. The parents might express disapproval but the child still goes and gets ice cream after school. Or, they take it personally and do nothing at all. :confused: So...my only option, after going through all sorts of attempts to correct the issues, is to terminate for the wellbeing of the entire group. I won't apologize for that.

Those children enroll in other programs. Their families are not left without ANY program since I am not the ONLY program in the entire area. How dramatic.

[Blackcat31]

Just more dribble about how ONE should be more important that ALL.

The first and most important teacher is the PARENT.

When the PARENT does their job, that gap closes significantly.

Let's start there.

[Ariana]

When research shows time and time again that the best predictor of behavior is parental influance I am not sure we as educators are capable of affecting change. Most of us know that behavioral issues almost always stem from parental behaviors and making educators bear the brunt of reform for these kids is ridiculous and seldom works.

Not to mention most of us are overworked and underpaid as it stands. Want me to do more to help little johnny stay out of jail? Give me more $$. Until then I will do what I can to survive and keep the needs of the group at the forefront.

[mommyneedsadayoff]

"Limiting access to high-quality early education widens the achievement gap at school entry. Expelling children from preschool creates a missed opportunity to address young children’s socio-emotional and cognitive needs prior to school entry. “Preschool behavior problems are the single best predictor of adolescent delinquency and adult imprisonment. Expulsion from preschool leaves young children without access to education and early intervention, and families without support to address children’s behavior challenges. In the absence of these supports, “children are most likely to develop chronic behavior problems, contributing to school failure, peer rejection, substance abuse, truancy, incarceration, unemployment, divorce, psychiatric illness, and early death in adolescence and adulthood” resulting in more costly and long-term interventions.v Therefore, crafting and implementing policies and practices to support administrators, teachers and parents in addressing behavioral and cognitive challenges can help to prevent expulsion and reduce instances of suspension to only when in the best interests of the child."

"This brief includes resources to inform early childhood stakeholders at the state and local level interested in developing policy and guidance for programs to prevent and reduce suspension and expulsion." - https://www.zerotothree.org/resource...-and-expulsion

1. Establishing preventive, disciplinary, suspension, and expulsion policies and administering those policies free of bias and discrimination;
2. Setting goals and using data to monitor progress in preventing, severely limiting, and ultimately eliminating expulsion and suspension practices in early childhood settings; and
3. Implementing early childhood workforce competencies and evidence-based interventions and approaches that prevent expulsion, suspension, and other exclusionary discipline practices, including early childhood mental health consultation and positive behavior intervention and support strategies.

Should we no longer be able to term based on what is best for the group, safety, our own financial security or legal liability? Thoughts?

This is what I do not like (#2). I think that a majority of providers, both new and old, DO try to cover every base before terminating care. We see what we can do on our end, what changes can be made in the daily life of the child (naps, eating, consistency), ask the parents for cooperation and offer advice on what they can do at home, ect. But, when all else fails or if there is no cooperation from the parents, termination is in the best interest of all involved. It protects us, our other dc kids, our home. But it also puts the issue back on the parent and somewhat forces them to deal with it. They don't always and may hop over to the next dc, but history generally repeats itself if changes are not made, so it usually bites them in the bum.

I could never support the bolded part though (#2). There HAS to be consequences when no improvements are made and ultimately, we are private business owners. The amount of work and effort we want to put into a child should be our decision. It is great to give people tools, but eliminating the expulsion option is not the way to go. I know it is not the same, but I was reading the archives last night on the peanut allergy threads and it was a parent who knew about the allergy, but did not inform the dc provider, bc they knew they would have some form of protection under the ADA to be expelled at that point. It seemed like a move to force a provider to deal with something they were not capable of dealing with. I can see the similarities in the above. Forcing providers to work harder and potentially deal with aggressive/violent/abnormal behaviors for the sake of the child, when that is ultimately the responsibility of the parent. That is not okay, but even more, it is potentially dangerous for the provider and the other children in their care.

[laundrymom]

If parents would parent all of this would be easier. Maybe the state should step into that can of worms. Or would they like us to do that dirty work too?

[Cat Herder]

My fear is that this escalating pressure on child care providers to be *all things to everyone* is going to result in an upswing in providers committing child abuse.

We must be allowed to enforce our limits without fear of the collapse of modern civilization or the loss of our income. The expectations placed on us, for bargain basement income, harsh judgement and extended hours, is absurd.

If this pattern continues, it is only a matter of time before we see the uptick in abuse cases, mark my words.

[nannyde]

Ummm where's the money to pay for this intervention. If they would provide the child care with the monies to pay for the education and staff needed to implement the behavior program that PROTECTS the staff and children.... then and only then... would this work.

Another example of do more ... pay more... and get zero compensation.

The message to parents is that the child can be violent, disrespectful, destroy property etc... and the daycare HAS to keep them.

My son is in high school which is very small. About 25 kids per grade. They just expelled a kid for the rest of the school for the rest of the year for threatening students, staff, and principal. He's in their "alternative" program which is staffed at a one to six. He still is vicious and puts others at risk.

The ADA specifically says that if the child is a threat to the safety of others they aren't protected. Why are daycares expected to tolerate dnager to staff, kids, and property when the ADA doesn't expect that.

Who else is being kicked out? What behavior, other than violence is causing kids to be kicked out?

[nannyde]

All this while we can't go a week without articles about how expensive daycare is. Do parents want to pay for keeping violent children in care? That's very expensive and the parents collectively HAVE to bear the cost.

Quit bemoaning the cost of child care and then put forth policies and recommendations that are very very expensive.

[mommyneedsadayoff]

All this while we can't go a week without articles about how expensive daycare is. Do parents want to pay for keeping violent children in care? That's very expensive and the parents collectively HAVE to bear the cost.

Quit bemoaning the cost of child care and then put forth policies and recommendations that are very very expensive.

And do they even want them there at all? We (society) have normalized aggressive behavior, so the parent of the aggressive child thinks its a-ok and there is nothing wrong with their kid. For the parents of non aggressive children, it is NOT normal and NOT ok! They will pull their kids from these environments and providers will end up with groups of aggressive children. Talk about baby fight club! Ime, parents who take a vested interest in their child and actively work to change bad behaviors are more willing to pay for the extra care. It is the ones who dont think their child's violent behaviors are a "big deal" that wont put their money where their mouth is.

[Blackcat31]

Ummm where's the money to pay for this intervention. If they would provide the child care with the monies to pay for the education and staff needed to implement the behavior program that PROTECTS the staff and children.... then and only then... would this work.

Another example of do more ... pay more... and get zero compensation.

The message to parents is that the child can be violent, disrespectful, destroy property etc... and the daycare HAS to keep them.

My son is in high school which is very small. About 25 kids per grade. They just expelled a kid for the rest of the school for the rest of the year for threatening students, staff, and principal. He's in their "alternative" program which is staffed at a one to six. He still is vicious and puts others at risk.

The ADA specifically says that if the child is a threat to the safety of others they aren't protected. Why are daycares expected to tolerate dnager to staff, kids, and property when the ADA doesn't expect that.

Who else is being kicked out? What behavior, other than violence is causing kids to be kicked out?

The money is found in QRIS.

My state alone is funneling money like crazy into educating and training providers. ANY and ALL efforts to create a QUALITY program that focuses on preparing the child for school is rewarded.

Of course, what is really happening is a completely different story but as long as it looks good on paper or in theory, they'll just keep doling out the money.

Close Gaps by 5

http://closegapsby5.org/

The state is not only drinking the Kool-aide but they are paying for it too

[daycarediva]

That seems like in an ideal world...

The children I have terminated from my preschool have had parents who do not work to eliminate the behaviors (usually the child is needing to see a psychiatrist or some other professional - seriously). It's a "kids will be kids" attitude or a "what happens at preschool stays at preschool" attitude. The parents might express disapproval but the child still goes and gets ice cream after school. Or, they take it personally and do nothing at all. :confused: So...my only option, after going through all sorts of attempts to correct the issues, is to terminate for the wellbeing of the entire group. I won't apologize for that.

Those children enroll in other programs. Their families are not left without ANY program since I am not the ONLY program in the entire area. How dramatic.

Just more dribble about how ONE should be more important that ALL.

The first and most important teacher is the PARENT.

When the PARENT does their job, that gap closes significantly.

Let's start there.

[Leigh]

Ummm where's the money to pay for this intervention. If they would provide the child care with the monies to pay for the education and staff needed to implement the behavior program that PROTECTS the staff and children.... then and only then... would this work.

Another example of do more ... pay more... and get zero compensation.

The message to parents is that the child can be violent, disrespectful, destroy property etc... and the daycare HAS to keep them.

My son is in high school which is very small. About 25 kids per grade. They just expelled a kid for the rest of the school for the rest of the year for threatening students, staff, and principal. He's in their "alternative" program which is staffed at a one to six. He still is vicious and puts others at risk.

The ADA specifically says that if the child is a threat to the safety of others they aren't protected. Why are daycares expected to tolerate dnager to staff, kids, and property when the ADA doesn't expect that.

Who else is being kicked out? What behavior, other than violence is causing kids to be kicked out?

Exactly. This idea might be ideal for a public preschool program where funds are available to provide one-on-one care to "problem" kids, but in a private daycare or preschool, an administrator or owner needs to do what works for them.

[Blackcat31]

Exactly. This idea might be ideal for a public preschool program where funds are available to provide one-on-one care to "problem" kids, but in a private daycare or preschool, an administrator or owner needs to do what works for them.

...but the goal is universal preschool for all so it WOULD work in a public school system....which is where it seems the government wants the kids to be.

Child Care providers (family and private centers) are slowing being killed off/run off... I've been saying it for year now.

[Cat Herder]

Further reading: https://www.zerotothree.org/document/908

"Who is most likely to be expelled?
 Four-year-olds are expelled at a rate about 50 percent greater than three-year-olds.
 Boys are expelled at a rate more than 4.5 times that of girls.
 African-American children are about twice as likely to be expelled as Latino and Caucasian children, and more than five times as likely to be expelled as Asian-American children.iv"

"For the first time, the federal Office of Civil Rights (OCR) collected data from all public schools nationally in 2011-2012, and released findings in the Civil Rights Data Collection, Data Snapshot: Early Childhood Education in a March 2014 report.ix This data indicated that “Black children make up 18% of preschool enrollment, but 48% of preschool children suspended more than once. Boys receive more than three out of four out-of-school preschool suspensions.” (Page 3) While preschool girls who are black are also more likely to experience “out-of-school” suspension, this data collection did not find that preschool children learning English or children with disabilities were any more likely to be suspended than other children.
This data has limitations in terms of interpreting the magnitude of the problem because it only surveyed school programs and many more preschool children are served in community based settings."

"In response to OCR data, and with growing concerns expressed by families, teachers and other stakeholders, in 2016 the US Departments of Education and Health and Human Services released a joint policy statement to raise awareness about expulsion, suspension, and other exclusionary discipline practices in early childhood settings, including issues of racial/national origin/ethnic and gender disparities and negative outcomes for children associated with expulsion and suspension in the early years, and provide the field with recommendations to limit suspension and expulsion in early childhood.xi"