Proposed Rule Shifts Discipline Authority to States
The Trump administration has proposed a rule change for the 61-year-old Head Start program that would eliminate federal guidelines protecting young children from removal due to behavioral issues. Under the proposal, providers would be asked to create their own discipline policies by following state and local licensing requirements instead of adhering to current federal standards.
The current federal rules prohibit Head Start programs from suspending or expelling children for behaviors such as biting or hitting. The proposed change would remove these protections, effectively allowing states to determine the disciplinary framework for the early childhood education program.
Data Shows Wide Disparity in State Discipline Practices
An analysis of 2023-24 federal data by The 74 and The Associated Press indicates that states with flexible rules or no laws regarding preschool discipline tend to remove more preschoolers. Conversely, states with tighter regulations suspend fewer children.
Specific data from the 2023-24 period highlights this disparity. South Carolina reported suspending 604 public preschoolers 1,181 times during that period. In contrast, Minnesota reported zero suspensions. Florida reported expelling 466 public preschoolers.
A separate analysis by the Children’s Equity Project at Arizona State University found that only 14 states and Washington, D.C., have laws or policies aligning with Head Start’s current rules on exclusionary discipline. Only Minnesota explicitly includes Head Start programs in its regulations regarding discipline.
Critics Warn of Harm to Vulnerable Children
Wanda Minick, executive director of the Florida Head Start Association, stated that if the administration relies on state standards for suspension and expulsion, vulnerable children and families could be put in an environment with no protections. She noted this is particularly concerning in states like Florida that lack specific standards for preschool discipline.
Critics argue that suspensions and expulsions are associated with negative outcomes, including lower educational achievement, a decreased likelihood of graduating high school, and depression.
Joanna Isitt, a Head Start teacher in Aurora, Ill., shared her perspective on the potential impact of the proposed changes. Isitt noted that her son, Xavier, received support from a social-emotional and mental healthcare team to manage behavioral issues. She stated that under the proposed changes, he could have been removed from his class instead of receiving help.