Too many early childhood expulsions?

Rep. Mary Stuart Gile is sponsoring a 2016 bill to study suspensions and expulsions in New Hampshire preschools and kindergartens. 

The bill echoes concerns from the U.S. Department of Education and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that preschools and kindergartens are suspending and expelling too many students.

In a joint policy statement the departments said:

Recent data indicate that expulsions and suspensions occur at high rates in preschool settings.  This is particularly troubling given that research suggests that school expulsion and suspension practices are associated with negative educational and life outcomes.  In addition, stark racial and gender disparities exist in these practices, with young boys of color being suspended and expelled much more frequently than other children. 

Many education policymakers argue that preschools and kindergartens with high suspension and expulsion rates should be provided additional staff and programs to better address children with emotional and behavioral challenges. 

However, preschool and kindergarten expulsions may not be as much of an issue in New Hampshire as in other states.  A 2009 report from the Carsey Institute found that children in preschool through grade 5 had the lower rates of suspensions and expulsions than higher grades in New Hampshire.   The overall suspension and expulsion rates were also lower than the national average.  

Right now New Hampshire law gives each school district a fair amount of flexibility in suspension and expulsion policies.  Advocates for local control of education may be leery of additional state involvement in suspension and expulsion.