Preschool and child care expulsion and suspension: Rates and predictors in one state

Walter S. Gilliam, Golan Shahar

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

252 Scopus citations

Abstract

Rates and predictors of preschool expulsion and suspension were examined in a randomly selected sample of Massachusetts preschool teachers (N ≤ 119). During a 12-month period, 39% of teachers reported expelling at least one child, and 15% reported suspending. The preschool expulsion rate was 27.42 per 1000 enrollees, more than 34 times the Massachusetts K-12 rate and more than 13 times the national K-12 rate. Suspension rates for preschoolers were less than that for K-12. Larger classes, higher proportion of 3-year-olds in the class, and elevated teacher job stress predicted increased likelihood of expulsion. Location in a school or Head Start and teachers' positive feelings of job satisfaction predicted decreased likelihood of expulsion. Expulsion was relatively rare in classes where both class size and teacher job stress were low. A higher proportion of Latino children in the class and lower teacher job satisfaction predicted an increased likelihood of suspension. Implications are discussed regarding policy, prevention, and future research.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)228-245
Number of pages18
JournalInfants and Young Children
Volume19
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Jan 2006
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Behavior problems
  • Child care
  • Expulsion
  • Prekindergarten
  • Preschool

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
  • Developmental and Educational Psychology
  • Psychiatry and Mental health

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