Developing Policy on Early Childhood Suspension and Expulsion
"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? |
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. :rolleyes: :rolleyes:
The first and most important teacher is the PARENT. When the PARENT does their job, that gap closes significantly. Let's start there. ;) |
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. |
Originally Posted by Cat Herder: 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. |
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?
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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. :mad: If this pattern continues, it is only a matter of time before we see the uptick in abuse cases, mark my words. |
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? |
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. |
Originally Posted by nannyde: |
Originally Posted by nannyde: 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. :rolleyes: Close Gaps by 5 http://closegapsby5.org/ The state is not only drinking the Kool-aide but they are paying for it too |
Originally Posted by EntropyControlSpecialist: Originally Posted by Blackcat31: |
Originally Posted by nannyde: |
Originally Posted by Leigh: Child Care providers (family and private centers) are slowing being killed off/run off... I've been saying it for year now. :cool: |
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" |
Nobody's mentioned yet the unconscious biases that exist when it comes to suspension/expulsion. There's a growing awareness that race, gender, perceived culture/class, and other factors impact how much empathy school officials have when interpreting negative behavior. For instance, people have trouble gauging the age of folks of a different race, and white people tend to overestimate the age of black children. So even when a white administrator knows objectively that the black boy sitting in her office is the same age as the white boys in his class, she may unconsciously hold him to a developmentally inappropriate standard of behavior. (And how many of you've had a little girl who preens when she's caught acting out, clearly waiting for us to melt in the face of her cuteness? That's behavior that's gotten positive reinforcement.)
All that to say, this could be in part a ham-handed attempt to reduce the disparity in how children are excluded from preschool programs. http://fortune.com/2016/09/28/how-ra...up-in-schools/ |
Originally Posted by Pestle: |
Oh, you totally did mention it! I was dealing with kids and didn't hit "post" until after you posted yours. :D
http://www.apa.org/news/press/releas...oys-older.aspx |
Originally Posted by Pestle: I read the article you linked. This stood out. " White teachers, with lower expectations of black children, rated the severity of the behavior lower. Black teachers, who held black students to a higher standard, consistently rated their behavior as more severe." How are those statements not also micro-aggression's? I don't know, none of this sits well. :confused: No matter where anyone sets the bar they are ridiculed and projected upon as to their reasoning. |
Originally Posted by Cat Herder: http://www.apa.org/news/press/releas...oys-older.aspx http://www.apa.org/pubs/journals/rel...p-a0035663.pdf Tough topics, but I want to understand. :hug: |
Sounds like parents aren't considered responsible anymore. Like as if it's just assumed that daycare/schools are raising children and parents aren't even considered to be accountable for children's behavior.
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Originally Posted by Mom2Two: None seem to focus on parents responsibility, evaluation, progress or accountability, though. :confused: Anyone know of a study on that? |
Cool find likethis
"Triple P (Positive Parenting Program) www.triplep-america.com Triple P is a system of parenting and family support to address parents’ varied needs. There are five levels of intervention, ranging from media strategies to increase awareness and acceptance, to brief consultation on common developmental issues, to intensive approaches to address problems with parenting and child behavior. In addition to impacting CM outcomes, this program has shown improvements in parenting behavior and child behavior problems." |
Anyone caring for a child, whether it is in a professional setting or in a parental setting, should have required courses for caring for those children. I know it sounds outlandish but the way a child is raised has a HUGE impact on society, prison systems and victimization.
I currently have a 3 yr old with major impulse control issues. I am working with mom on it but so far after 3 weeks I have only seen small improvements. I actually said to my husband that this type of personality, if not nipped in the bud, will result in this kid going to prison. No one thinks behavior in a 3 yr old can impact how that child grows up and the choices they make. At least there are some parrallels being drawn here. |
Originally Posted by mommyneedsadayoff: "I stick to a chemical free, organic diet due to my own health issues and because it's better for the children... I do not allow outside foods to be brought in unless a child has a special dietary need that can be verified in writing by a physician; That being said, I am gluten intolerant due to an autoimmune disease & I also care for Celiac children - I use a number of nut flours among other things for baking... I cannot guarantee to be a nut free home for this reason alone; the danger of cross contamination is something that cannot be avoided here." Families are expected to read my entire website before contacting me thru the website (yes it is stated on the site)... essentially if they try & throw the allergy crap @ me, I remind them that there are at least 3 different policies about allergies on the site & they were told to read & agree to them before sending me their contact info; if you sign the contract agreeing to the policies in person, then you can't come back & bitch @ me because your child has a nut allergy and you didn't know I wouldn't do no peanut butter etc etc. |
Originally Posted by Blackcat31: |
Originally Posted by Cat Herder: |
https://www2.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/...uspensions.pdf
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION POLICY STATEMENT ON EXPULSION AND SUSPENSION POLICIES IN EARLY CHILDHOOD SETTINGS The above is the actual 17 page statement. "These disturbing trends warrant immediate attention from the early childhood and education fields to prevent, severely limit, and work toward eventually eliminating the expulsion and suspension – and ensure the safety and well -being – of young children in early learning settings." "Should a situation arise where there is documented evidence that all possible interventions and supports recommended by a qualified professional, such as an early childhood mental health consultant, have been exhausted – and it is unanimously determined by the family, teacher, program, and other service providers that another setting is more appropriate for the well-being of the child in question – all parties, including the receiving program, should work together to develop a seamless transition plan and use that plan to implement a smooth transition." |
Originally Posted by Cat Herder: |
https://www.ecmhc.org/tutorials/defining/mod1_1.html
Yes, I had to google Early Childhood mental health consultation (ECMHC). "Early childhood mental health consultation (ECMHC) is emerging an as evidence-based intervention for supporting young children's social/emotional development and addressing challenging behaviors. Over the last decade, the following research and practice guided definition has taken shape: A problem-solving and capacity-building intervention implemented within a collaborative relationship between a professional consultant with mental health expertise and one or more caregivers, typically an early care and education provider and/or family member. " |
I haven't read all that has been posted but do you think different things should be expected from different childcare settings? A family child care; mine can only have 6 FT dcks, and it's just me flying solo. I would have no time or energy to safely handle a severe problem child and I would definitely have to terminate. Besides, I feel it's my own home and business and I have every right.
The government already steps into our lives at a high rate of invasion, forcing us to spend more money/time/effort on ridiculous expectations. I'm not saying supporting difficult children is a ridiculous expectation but there is only so much one person can do. There has GOT to be some requirements and expectations placed on children's most important influence in their lives and that is their parents. Is it just easier or is it all the funding states get for programs, that causes more restrictions on child care and schooling? I would NOT want to be a teacher in a public school system. I live in a very small town, maybe 6-7K, and even our town has a lot of problems. I can't imagine what city schools would be like. :( Stop blaming poor child care or schools on children's poor performance and behavioral problems. Stop entitling children from day 1 and expecting nothing out of them. Expect respect from them, give them consequences, stop thinking every dang thing they do is cute, act like respectable adults around them.:rolleyes: Feed them better quality foods and develop good sleep schedules!! |
Originally Posted by Josiegirl: From an attachment standpoint, I feel that having a consistant caregiver is very important for a child, especially those who may need extra support. It has to start at the home level though. |
Personally, I think someone sits atop their office building at their desk just trying to think of things to throw in and stir the pot to force more Family/Group providers to QUIT! And the funny thing is, this so-called powerful human being REALLY believes the unlicensed providers are NOT doing child care anymore:rolleyes::confused::ouch:
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Originally Posted by Cat Herder: Again, back to parental responsibility. There may be a bias at play as well, but working in that atmosphere first hand, I can tell you it was NOT my bias, but observations on parent involvement, children's behavior/consequences, and home lives play a major role in suspensions/expulsions as well. |
Originally Posted by daycarediva: |
Originally Posted by Cat Herder: Where my mom teaches is similar to what you're saying. It's a primarily white community, over 80% below the poverty level, lots of heroin and meth. Something close to half of the students in her school receive some level of additional intervention, behavioral or academic. There are so many expulsions in our county, that several school districts got together and organized a special program for these students to continue attending school. All are bused to a different district and attend a program for at risk youth. It goes from UPK-12th now, too. I wonder if I could find demographic information for the program. There are so many factors at play with education and behavior, that I think it's impossible to attribute to any one issue, but I know it starts in the home. |
Originally Posted by daycarediva: But not necessarily expulsion rates but absenteeism. Race and poverty is being discussed in regards to whether or not they impact chronic absenteeism. Well off parts of the community in comparison to the poor areas is also discussed... Of course, the automatic solution is money. The poorer districts and those with the most diversity are calling for more funding to address this issue and stop kids from chronic absences. But no one will point out that the chronic absenteeism is happening the same in both the poor and better off areas. Also I am not understanding HOW exactly will fix this? :confused: |
Originally Posted by Blackcat31: While creating new State job titles to over see us all. Does that count as a politicians perk?:confused: |
I've been reading lately (in the newspaper, sorry I don't have the links handy and we're heading outside now) that there's a big difference in marriage/parenthood rates between the educated/more affluent and lower education/income. Pretty much the educated/better income folk wait to have children until after marriage but not so much the less ed/lower income. So the more vulnerable are attempting parenthood on their own or in less stable situations.
Looking at the why, I've been reading things like that the men just aren't that appealing to the women and so marriage isn't as appealing. There's so much data on single motherhood corresponding/causing poverty. It makes me mad. I feel like the powerful and influential completely ignore the importance of a restrained lifestyle and are selling out the most vulnerable members of society. I realize that my feelings aren't popular with everyone and are probably considered very old-fashioned. But the data seems to back me up. |
Black males make up about 12-13% of the population but nearly 40% of the men in jail and prison. It makes sense that this kind of thing starts earlier in daycares.
Every watch the documentary called The 13th? It is great for shedding light on this topic. |
Originally Posted by Mom2Two: |
Originally Posted by daycarediva: |
Originally Posted by Mom2Two: We also had a woman work as an assistant in the centre who was a single mom living in a house with several roomates. She smoked a pack of cigarettes a day and her son had asthma. She was complaining one day about how she could not afford his asthma meds. I was considering paying for them myself because I felt bad for this sweet sweet boy. A few days later she came in and announced she was pregnant again with a big smile on her face! I was astounded. It was a big wakeup call for me. |
Originally Posted by Annalee: |
Originally Posted by Blackcat31: http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/new...ic-absenteeism |
Originally Posted by Blackcat31: |
Originally Posted by Ariana: The one thing I noticed however, was there was a very proportionate amount of different races. White, black, hispanic, ect. In male prisons, it is predominately black. |
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