Preschool Expulsion & Suspension Report
There is a strong body of research that demonstrates the lifelong, devastating effects of early childhood education (ECE) suspension and expulsion on infants, toddlers, and preschoolers, as well as its inequitable impact on Black, Indigenous, and other people/children of color (BIPOC). Throughout the past five years, many advocates have shared research, highlighted best practices, and issued policy statements and recommendations in efforts to guide ECE leaders and policymakers in stopping this epidemic of ECE suspensions and expulsions. The Alliance Policy & Systems Development workgroup and its briefing paper subgroup developed a tool in support of AIMHs advocacy work around suspension and expulsion in early childhood education settings. It is imperative to point out this universal conclusion: an ECE workforce trained in infant and early childhood mental health is essential to ending ECE suspensions and expulsions.
Enhance your advocacy efforts! Check out our Training HUB to access a free 1.5 hour webinar about using this tool to inform a strengths-based, systems approach to framing the issue of suspension and expulsion.
Resources
Build Initiative and National Center on Child Poverty. States’ Growing Commitment to Preventing Young Children’s Expulsion from Early Care and Education Programs: RESULTS OF A 50-STATE POLICY SURVEY Available at: https://buildinitiative.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/States-Growing-Commitment-to-Preventing-Young-Childrens-Expulsion-from-ECE-Programs.pdf
Center of Excellence on Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation. Overview of the IECMHC Approach within the Early Childhood System. Available at: https://www.iecmhc.org/documents/overview-iecmhc-approach-within-early-childhood-system.pdf
Children’s Institute- an interview with Dr. Walter Gilliam on preschool expulsion and bias https://childinst.org/an-interview-with-dr-walter-gilliam/
Defining Disprorportionate Discipline: Understanding Common Measure:https://challengingbehavior.cbcs.usf.edu
Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center. Developing Policy and Guidance on Suspension and Expulsion in Early Childhood Programs. Available at: https://ectacenter.org/topics/expulsion/policyguidance.asp
Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center. Expulsion and Suspension in Early Childhood (web compendium of resources). Available at: https://ectacenter.org/topics/expulsion/expulsion.asp
Head Start Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center https://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/publication/understanding-eliminating-expulsion-early-childhood-programs#:~:text=Preschoolers%20are%20expelled%20at%20three,be%20expelled%20as%20girls%20are.
Institute for Child Success https://www.instituteforchildsuccess.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/ICS-2018-PreschoolSuspensionBrief-WEB.pdf
Institute for Research & Poverty: A working framework for research-informed legislation prohibiting preschool expulsion and suspension: https://www.dropbox.com/s/otzgyx94crs8jun/Policy%20against%20preschool-%20expulsion%20A-Working-Framework.pdf?dl=0
Integrated Behavioral Health for Preschool Children in Pediatric Primary Care: https://www.dropbox.com/s/ezwyz3wuzdl9il8/Yogman2021_Article_IntegratedBehavioralHealthForP%20%281%29.pdf?dl=0
International Research in Early Childhood Education: Preschool teachers’ responses to challenging behavior: The role of organizational climate in referrals and expulsions: https://www.dropbox.com/s/x331fmbjwflx3op/Preschool%20expulsion.pdf?dl=0
Meek, S. E., and W. S. Gilliam. 2016. Expulsion and Suspension in Early Education as Matters of Social Justice and Health Equity. NAM Perspectives. Discussion Paper, National Academy of Medicine, Washington, DC. https://doi.org/10.31478/201610e
NAEYC https://www.naeyc.org/standing-together-against-suspension-expulsion-early-childhood-resources
National Black Child Development Institute: https://www.nbcdi.org/
Paradis, N., Johnson, K., & Richardson, Z. (2021). The Value of Reflective Supervision/Consultation in Early Childhood Education. ZERO TO THREE Journal, 41(3), 68-75. https://www.zerotothree.org/resources/3917-the-value-of-reflective-supervision-consultation-in-early-childhood-education
US Department of Health and Human Services. Reducing Suspension and Expulsion Practices in Early Childhood Settings. Numerous resources, including guidance, state best practices, and webinars available at: https://www.acf.hhs.gov/ecd/child-health-development/reducing-suspension-and-expulsion-practices
Yale Child Study Center: Do Early Educators’ Implicit Biases Regarding Sex and Race Relate to Behavior Expectation and Recommendations of Preschool Expulsions and Suspensions? https://www.dropbox.com/s/dq466e1yy1x8u8b/-Preschool-Implicit-Bias-Policy-Brief.pdf?dl=0
Yale School of Medicine: Stressed Out Children, Families, and Early Childhood Teachers: How Mental Health Support Is Essential to Reopening America: https://www.dropbox.com/s/o3334h4tn4w2c3f/Yale-Presentation%20MHC.pdf?dl=0
ZERO TO THREE. Prevention Expulsion from Preschool and Child Care. Numerous resources available at: https://www.zerotothree.org/resources/series/preventing-expulsion-from-preschool-and-child-care
Contributors
Cara Clark, Tennessee
Stephanie David, JD, MPH, IMH-E®, New York
Susan Dickstein, PhD.,IMH-E®, Rhode Island
Vickie Harden, Ph.D., LAPSW, Tennessee
Harleen Hutchinson, Psy.D., IECMH-E®-Florida
Dianne Jandrasits, PsyD, ECMH-E®, Pennsylvania
Isabelle Lopez, Tennessee
Lana Nenide, MS, IMH-E®, Wisconsin
Nichole Paradis, LMSW, IMH-E®, Michigan
Rhonda Rairden-Nelson, B.S., IMH-E®, Iowa
Kimberly Renk, Ph.D., IMH-E®, Florida
Pamela Segel, Ed.S., IMH-E®, New Mexico
Jayne Singer, Ph.D. IECMH-E®, Massachusetts
Aditi Subramaniam, LMHC, R-DMT, IECMH-E®, Massachusetts
Angela Webster, MSW, IMH-E®, Tennessee
Phyllis Vernon, M.Ed., Idaho