Scaffolding strategies and techniques to reduce or eliminate expulsion and suspension of African American preschoolers – Focus Group 1

On Saturday, March 30^th was the first focus group facilitated by the 3 Dr. W’s (Drs. Brenda K. Williamson, Carol A. Willis, and Angeline M. Woodson) to engage in in-depth conversations related to strategies/techniques to reduce/eliminate expulsion and suspension of African American preschool age children.  The participants represented a vast diverse range of professionals from preschool teachers, education administrators, licensed school therapist to college professor.

In February 2014, President Obama launched the My Brother’s Keeper (MBK) initiative to ensure that all young people can reach their full potential.  As part of the MBK, in December 2014, the United States Departments of Health and Human Services and Education released a policy statement on expulsion and suspension in early learning settings, which included State and local recommendation that will ultimately eliminate the practices of suspension and expulsion.  The state of North Carolina Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) in 2017 created DCDEE Suspension and Expulsion Policy State that has the following headings:

1        Purpose

2.       Guidance for prevention of suspension and expulsion

3.       Definitions

4.       Recommendations

5.       Children with unique needs and challenging behaviors

6.       Serving children with disabilities

7.       Resources

This policy statement does not mandate NC child care facilities from expelling and/or suspending children; however, the programs that do are NC pre-k, Title 1 and Head Start.  Some of the policy statements for early childhood programs are as following:

1.       Should consider adopting specific policies and procedures to limit suspension and expulsion

2.       Should consider disseminating writing policies and procedures to parents and families in a timely and efficient manner

According to Gilliam (2005) research data showed the pre-k expulsions are 6.7 per 1,000 for preschoolers and K-12 2.1 per 1,000.  Preschool children are more than 3 times likely to be suspended than K-12 students.  Yes, African American children are 2 times more likely than European American children and 5 times more likely than Asian American children to be expelled.  And, NC ranks 5^th in the nation for the number of preschool expulsions.

With these statistics, the need is greater to reduce the rate of suspension and expulsion of African American children in order to reinforce the MBK philosophy for them having bright futures toward becoming productive citizens of society.  The 3 Dr. W’s cannot sit back waiting for someone else to do the needed work to eliminate suspension and expulsion of African American preschool age children particularly males.   Yes, we have picked up the mantle to be the change agents ensuring your African American children will live up to their fullest potentials.

The second focus group will be conducted on Saturday, April 13^th (10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.) at the University of Mount Olive at RTP (5001 S. Miami Blvd, Durham, NC).  For more information contact Dr. Brenda K. Williamson at drbrenwilliamson@gmail.com.

Resources

Division of Child Development and Early Education Suspension and Expulsion Policy Statement.

Gilliam, W. S.  (2005). Prekindergarten left behind:  Expulsion rates in state prekindergarten programs.  FCD Policy Briefs.  Available at www.ziglercenter.yale.edu/publications/briefs.html

US Department of Education (2014, September).  Retrieved from US Department of Health and Human Services:  http://www.acf.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/ecd/expulsion_suspension_final.pdf.

US Department of Education Office for Civil Rights Data Collection:  Data Snapshot (Early Childhood) March 2014, p. 3.

US Department of Education Office for Civil Rights Data Collection:  A first look, June 2016, p. 1.