Dive Brief:
- The D.C. Council is considering a bill that would ban city-funded pre-K programs from issuing out-of-school suspensions and expulsions.
- The 2012-13 school year saw 181 preschoolers suspended or expelled, according to stats from the District’s Office of the State Superintendent of Education.
- The bill was introduced Monday by independent Councilmember David Grosso, who, according to CBS, "says he can’t imagine what sort of behavior would make suspension or expulsion appropriate punishment for a 3- or 4-year-old."
Dive Insight:
Grosso's argument against pre-K expulsion and out-of-school suspension is more complex than pure bewilderment at what a child so young could do to deserve such a punishment. The councilmember also notes that those who are kicked out of school at young ages are often also getting into trouble later. This indicates that the momentary punishment does not actually curb bad behavior and may in fact reinforce feelings of "I am a bad kid and therefore must behave a certain way." Clearly, more effective ways to deal with young children that misbehave must be taken into consideration.