DC bill would ban suspension of pre-K students

BEN NUCKOLS
Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — The D.C. Council will consider banning out-of-school suspensions and expulsions for children in city-funded pre-kindergarten programs.

Independent Councilmember David Grosso introduced a bill on Monday that would ban those forms of discipline for children who haven’t yet reached kindergarten.

The District’s Office of the State Superintendent of Education has reported that 181 pre-kindergarteners were suspended or expelled in the 2012-2013 school year. By contrast, Grosso says just 77 children in the state of Maryland were subjected to similar punishment.

Grosso says he can’t imagine what sort of behavior would make suspension or expulsion appropriate punishment for a 3- or 4-year-old. He says students who get suspended usually end up in more trouble later.

Eight of the 12 other councilmembers signed on as co-sponsors of Grosso’s bill.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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