Your voice can spur the beginning of the end of the school-to-prison pipeline.
A Bill to define terms related to the suspension or expulsion of preschool students, to provide for education and training for administrators, teachers, and staff, to require efforts toward maintaining student enrollment, and to provide for relevant data collection. (S 1108)
South Carolina Senate Bill 1108 would amend the South Carolina Code of Laws so as to define terms related to suspension or expulsion for preschool students and provide relevant data. In addition, the Department of Education would provide professional development for administrators, teachers, and staff on supporting kids with concerning behaviors. Training would also provide ongoing support and professional development for preschool classroom teachers on evidenced-based proactive and trauma informed strategies. South Carolina leads the nation in the number of preschool aged children who are suspended one or more times. In addition, the disproportionate rate Black and Brown students receive suspensions is alarming. In 2017-18, Black children made up 39% of preschool enrollment but 61% of the children who received one or more suspension. Increasing evidence shows that suspension and expulsion raises the high school dropout rate and the likelihood of incarceration later in life. Send an email to your state legislators now to let them know where you stand on this issue! Personalizing the message increases its impact.
