A new study out of the University of Michigan finds that kindergartners and first graders who are suspended from school are likely to be suspended again in elementary school.  The trends are especially elevated for African American male students and call into question the effectiveness of suspending young children in order to change future behavior.

Researcher Zibei Chen of the University of Michigan School of Social Work says suspensions in the first two years of school can begin a downward trend that is difficult to correct:  “Not only are children who are suspended at a young age missing out on time spent in early learning experiences, but they are also less likely to be referred to services and supports they need to thrive in later school years.”

Key findings of the study:

• Boys rated by teachers as aggressive, defiant and disruptive are more likely to be suspended than girls. They are also less engaged in school.

• Girls rated by teachers as disruptive and lacking in parental school involvement are more likely to be suspended.

• Significant predictors of suspension in kindergarten and first grade also predicted suspension one and three years later.

• Boys and African-American students are more likely to be suspended than girls and white and Hispanic students, respectively, the study indicated.

Researchers suggest that schools look at predictors of early elementary suspension and develop interventions to address them.