Banning Suspension Of Pre-K Children

By Dr. Marciene Mattleman

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - According to an article in The Washington Post, poor and minority students are more likely to be expelled or suspended than their white and affluent peers, showing clear links between those disciplinary events and chances of dropping out and involvement in the judicial system.

The article highlights DC pre-K students who have been punished for tantrums, classroom disruption, repeated vulgarity and bathroom mishaps and a bill by city councilman David Grosso has been introduced banning pre-K suspensions after learning that 3 and 4-year olds received out-of-school suspensions 181 times in the 2012-13 school year.

The issue has drawn increased attention since President Obama established a federal initiative to address the connection between students' offenses and judicial involvement and national school discipline guidelines have been announced urging schools to find more constructive ways to deal with minor infractions.

Research shows that 3 and 4-year-olds aren't able to connect their misbehavior with punishment and expulsion can begin a downward cycle.