Preschool Children Being Expelled At An Alarming Rate

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Children attending preschool in California and the nation are expelled at three times the rate of older students, according to a landmark new study that is provoking surprise and alarm among educators and parents.

In a report scheduled for release today, the Yale Child Study Center found that nearly seven preschool children per 1,000 are being expelled — for behavioral problems — from state-funded programs, compared with 2.1 per 1,000 elementary, middle and high school students.

In addition, 4-year-olds are expelled more often than 3-year-olds, and boys are expelled at 4.5 times the rate of girls. African American children are twice as likely to be expelled as Latinos or whites and five times as likely as Asian American children.

"There are two reactions of shock to this report: from those with intimate knowledge about this problem and are shocked that there is finally data to back up their experience, and from the other group that doesn't spend a lot of time in classrooms and is shocked that any young child would be expelled," said study coauthor Walter S. Gilliam, an assistant professor of child psychiatry and psychology at Yale University.

The study, "Prekindergarteners Left Behind," explored the expulsion rates of 52 state-funded preschool programs in 40 states and serving nearly 800,000 children. Providers included public schools, Head Start, nonprofit and for-profit centers, faith-based and other community programs.

The study was based on data gathered by the Yale center's National Prekindergarten Study. Teachers in a random sample of about 4,800 classrooms were surveyed about children expelled for behavioral problems during the previous year. About 81% of teachers responded.

New Mexico had the highest rate, with 21 children expelled per 1,000 enrolled; Kentucky reported none. Expulsions for prekindergarteners exceeded those in elementary, middle and high schools in all but three states.

Expulsion rates also varied by classroom setting: the lowest in classrooms located in public schools and in Head Start programs, and the highest in faith-affiliated centers and for-profit child care.

Gilliam said many of the programs, including California's, are intended for poor families, where children would tend to have more special needs.

One implication of the findings is that children most in need of early intervention and counseling services are not receiving them.

In California, where about 135,000 students are enrolled in state-funded full-day and half-day programs, an estimated 1,008 preschoolers are expelled each year. Twelve percent of teachers in the state's 5,800 classrooms reported expelling a child, according to the report.

Michael Jett, director of child development for the state Department of Education, said officials were surprised at the findings. The state does not keep expulsion data for preschoolers, and Jett said he could remember only a handful of appeals from parents after children had been asked to leave a program. Policies surrounding such expulsions are largely a matter of local jurisdiction.

But he did not dispute the Yale numbers.

"What this study implies is that we have to examine ways in which to diagnose problems and provide support in the classroom in a way that doesn't take away from other children," Jett said. "It's an important policy question. We need to talk about what it would take to address the issue, whether it requires legislation or and what we can and can't do given our resources."

Jett said that in California, the average funding for preschool students is about $3,100 per pupil, compared with $6,000 for K-12 students.

http://www.latimes.com/news/custom/showcase/la-me-preschool17may17.story

They need to make sure this "kids" are reall serious about getting an education before the localities invest money into their education.

That's no surprise. I wouldn't expect faith-affiliated schools and for-profit child care centers to be tolerant of anyone, much less four and five year olds. It's also more likely that kids put in these schools are spoiled rotten or abused by "spare the rod" parenting techniques.

Easier to give in to every tantrum for immediate peace and quiet. Lots of wee children have their parents very well trained. Then they run into ornery teachers who don't have time/inclination to realize the brats are supreme rulers. The little kids do not take the news well and ratchet up the methods which have always worked for them in the past.

What is needed is some education of parents. Learning to ignore the tantrum behavior and just deal with the racket for 20 minutes at a time for 3 years will save a lifetime of grief by teaching the kid that inappropriate behavior does not get rewarded. Kids are very smart and are learning from day 1. Some people don't get that. They disrespect the child AND let the child down by not remembering the child is incredibly intelligent, learning at all times and they need to pay attention to what lessons are bing taught. Is the kid learning that screaming, throwing things and hitting will get attention or is the kid learning that it will get them shunned? The kid will stop what does not work. They aren't stupid.

Consistent work with a very young child will bring changes in behavior very quickly. They learn that help will come but also that there are others in the world and sometimes they have to wait for gratification. They can learn more constructive ways to get attention. They can learn to be an active partner in achieving desired goals. They can learn self calming and self control. They can learn EVERYTHING if somebody just takes the time to teach consistently and in steps which build (rather than frustrate) the child's understanding and skills. And they learn they can count on that person to be there. They learn self respect and respect for others by what is illustrated consistently.

More people should spend time helping out in a pre-school class. It's incredible what one can see about the early beginnings of a lifetime of trouble for people and how it reflects en masse to the problems in our society.

Teach your children well. Be a parent. Save being a friend for a time when the kid is all raised and they come to you as a friend. It will happen in time. It is worth the wait.