No Longer Welcome: The Epidemic of Expulsion from Early Childhood Education

Hundreds of children are expelled from childcare and preschool every day, with boys and Black children being over-represented. This is a result of adult decisions made within constrained contexts and at times blind to downstream consequences. No Longer Welcome starts a critical conversation between and across sectors of the early childhood field to ensure that all children can be retained in high-quality early care and education settings.

Format: Hardback
Length: 184 pages
Publication date: 13 October 2022
Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc

For over 15 years, researchers have been documenting a crisis in our nation's early learning classrooms. Every day, hundreds of children are expelled from childcare and preschool, a rate nearly three times higher than that of kindergarten-12th grade students. While policymakers have taken steps to address this issue, disparities in expulsion rates persist, particularly among boys and Black children. These children are often pushed out of the very environments that are meant to prepare them for school success. Each child's expulsion represents a symptom of a broader crisis: an overburdened, underfunded, undervalued, and fragmented early education system.

In the early years, expulsion occurs as a result of a series of decisions made by adults within limited contexts and often without considering the downstream consequences. Exhausted and underpaid teachers struggle to allocate their limited attention and energy in a chaotic classroom. Administrators on tight budgets must make difficult choices between hiring additional personnel, providing high-quality training, or investing in adequate classroom resources. Fragmented state agencies independently set standards and policies, allocate funds for early intervention and consultation services, and often work in silos, failing to coordinate their efforts effectively.

By examining these complex factors, No Longer Welcome initiates a critical conversation within and across sectors of the early childhood field. Parents, teachers, preschool administrators, researchers, and policymakers all have a responsibility to ensure that all children can access high-quality early care and education settings. Dr. Zinsser, through her research and interviews with teachers, program administrators, parents, and policymakers, provides a comprehensive description of the myriad factors contributing to the expulsion crisis. She presents a compelling argument for the need to address these issues and proposes solutions that can help mitigate the impact of expulsion on children and their families.

One of the key findings in No Longer Welcome is the disproportionate representation of boys and Black children in expulsion rates. Dr. Zinsser argues that this is not a coincidence but rather a result of systemic biases and inequalities within the early education system. Boys and Black children are often labeled as "troubled" or "disruptive" and are more likely to be subjected to harsh disciplinary measures, such as expulsion. This perpetuates a cycle of marginalization and exclusion, which can have long-term consequences for their academic and social development.

To address these disparities, Dr. Zinsser suggests several strategies. One of the most important is to invest in early childhood education and support programs that provide comprehensive services to children and their families. This includes funding for teacher training, professional development, and adequate classroom resources. Additionally, policymakers should prioritize the prevention of expulsion by implementing evidence-based practices that support positive behavior management and social-emotional development.

Another important strategy is to address the root causes of expulsion, such as poverty, trauma, and limited access to healthcare. Dr. Zinsser argues that these factors can have a significant impact on children's behavior and academic performance, leading to expulsion as a last resort. By providing support and resources to families in need, policymakers can help break the cycle of poverty and promote healthy child development.

In addition to these strategies, No Longer Welcome calls for a shift in the way we think about and approach expulsion. Instead of viewing it as a punitive measure, policymakers should see it as an opportunity to address underlying issues and improve the early education system. This requires a collaborative effort between educators, policymakers, and community organizations to develop policies and practices that prioritize the well-being and success of all children.

In conclusion, the expulsion crisis in our nation's early learning classrooms is a complex and pressing issue that requires a comprehensive and collaborative response. No Longer Welcome provides a valuable contribution to the conversation by examining the complex causes of expulsion and proposing solutions that can help mitigate the impact of this crisis on children and their families. By investing in early childhood education and support programs, addressing systemic biases and inequalities, and promoting positive behavior management and social-emotional development, we can create a more equitable and effective early education system that ensures all children can thrive.

Dimension: 235 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780197639719