An Overview of State Pre-K Suspension and Expulsion Policies and Their Key Provisions

• In Event: Exclusionary Policies and Practices in Early Childhood Education Settings

Abstract

State pre-K programs have expanded rapidly, but children’s access can be uneven, with potential disruptions if they are suspended or expelled. We gathered pre-K policy documents related to suspension and expulsion and conducted a qualitative content analysis to compare policies in different states. While 27 of 34 states included in our study had written policies in this area, they were articulated in highly variable ways. Nearly all states permitted suspension and expulsion in some circumstances, though there was frequently an emphasis on prevention. Other types of supports included requirements that pre-K programs should specify conditions for termination in policy. As our findings suggest that suspension and expulsion are rarely fully prohibited, this raises further concerns about equitable access to pre-K.

Authors

• Jason Hustedt, University of Delaware

• Gerilyn Slicker, University of Nevada - Las Vegas

• Martha J. Buell, University of Delaware

• Rachel Fidel, University of Delaware

• Rena Hallam, University of Delaware