Schools

How Young Is Too Young To Be Suspended?

Washington region children being suspended as young as age 4, according to report.

Washington region school systems have experienced and increasing number of elementary school suspensions, from pre-kindergarten to the fifth grade, according to a report published in The Washington Post.

The report found that kindergarten students—some as young as 4-years old—were sent home for behavior in nearly every area school system. The numbers of kindergarten children sent home were 94 in Prince George’s County, 74 in Fairfax County, 61 in Anne Arundel County, 50 in the Washington school system, 38 in Prince William County and 22 in Montgomery County.

In all, more than 6,112 elementary school students, including 483 pre-kindergarden and kindergarden students, were sent home, according to the newspaper report. Most of the children were suspended or expelled for hitting, disruptive behavior, disrespectful behavior and fighting, among other school infractions.

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When removed from school, students were left sitting at home or accompanied their parents to work, according to the report.


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