Safeguarding Our Youngest Learners: Addressing the Preschool Expulsion Crisis in Utah

The 2024-2025 school year is in full swing, and it's got us thinking about the unseen crisis many of our youngest learners will face. Preschool expulsion is a steadily growing concern for Utah children, with far-reaching consequences that demand our immediate attention.

Tackling the Preschool Expulsion Epidemic: A Call to Action

Uncovering the Alarming Rates of Preschool Expulsions

According to the Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center (ECLKC), preschoolers are expelled from programs at three times the rate of K-12 graders. This startling statistic highlights the failure of our educational system during the most critical years of a child's learning and development. The disproportionate impact on Black children and boys further underscores the systemic inequities at play.

The Hidden Challenges of Private Preschool Oversight

The issue of preschool expulsion is particularly challenging to address because private preschools are not required to report suspensions or expulsions to the education board. This lack of transparency and accountability allows for a concerning lack of oversight, leaving many families and communities vulnerable to the consequences of these harsh disciplinary measures.

The Long-Lasting Impact of Preschool Expulsion

Contrary to the belief that preschool expulsion is a mere momentary setback, the reality is that it can have profound and long-lasting impacts on a child's education, self-esteem, and overall development. Families are often left to navigate the complex landscape of finding alternative, and potentially more costly, educational options that may still lack the necessary safeguards to prevent another expulsion.

Disproportionate Impacts on Marginalized Communities

The preschool expulsion crisis disproportionately affects marginalized families and communities, further perpetuating cycles of harm and inequality. While Black children make up only 17% of preschool enrollment nationally, they account for 31% of out-of-school suspensions and 25% of expulsions. The statistics for Black boys are even more alarming, as they represent 9% of preschool enrollment yet make up 23% of preschool out-of-school suspensions and 20% of preschool expulsions.

The Urgent Need for Regulatory Oversight in Private Preschools

Utah's lack of legislation in private preschool settings increases the likelihood of children with challenging behaviors being expelled, often without prior support or interventions. This lack of oversight can have devastating consequences, leading to lost opportunities for social and emotional growth, ongoing behavioral problems, and harmful effects on a child's overall development. For students of color, the outcomes can be catastrophic, creating a revolving door of negative experiences with education and disruption to their early development, ultimately contributing to the preschool-to-prison pipeline.

Rethinking Preschool Policies: Prioritizing Support over Punishment

As a therapeutic specialist in early childhood mental health, I have witnessed firsthand the impact of preschool expulsion on young children. These children do not need suspensions or expulsions; they need unbiased adults who take the time to understand them and provide the support they need to reach their educational goals. Behavioral challenges are often misunderstood signs of developmental differences, unmet needs, or trauma, and should be addressed with empathy and a focus on intervention, not punishment.

Disrupting the Preschool Expulsion Cycle: A Call for Comprehensive Reform

To disrupt the pattern of preschool expulsion, we must rethink preschool regulations and policies, including the implementation of zero-tolerance approaches. It is time to take responsibility for the gaps in our early education system and stop overlooking the most critical years in a child's development. By protecting our youngest learners and investing in their futures, we can break the cycle of preschool expulsion and ensure that all children have the opportunity to thrive.