Preschool Expulsion Racial Disparities came into sharp focus for Lee and Aletta Williamson in the spring of 2023 when their younger son, just two years old, transitioned into a new classroom at Heritage Preschool in Homewood, Alabama. The child, full of energy and typical toddler behavior, began returning home with multiple daily incident reports.
“There were days he’d come home with four, five, even six write-ups,” recalls Lee, 47, a federal employee.
The behaviors reported ranged from resisting line-up time after splash pad play to getting frustrated when another child grabbed his toy — things most parents would consider normal for that age group.
“Just regular toddler behavior,” adds Aletta, 46, who works in higher education. “But the volume and pattern were extremely concerning. This was not what we had experienced before.”
Their older son had attended the same preschool without any similar disciplinary concerns. He was confused and saddened by how his younger brother was being treated.
“On the way to pick him up, he’d pray, ‘I hope he didn’t get any write-ups today,’” Lee shares. “It broke our hearts.”
Preschool Expulsion Racial Disparities and Teacher Behavior
The Williamsons began noticing a disturbing trend: all reports were coming from one particular teacher — a White educator. They learned from a Black assistant teacher in the classroom that their son seemed to be disciplined for actions that White peers were not penalized for.
This raised immediate red flags about Preschool Expulsion Racial Disparities. The family asked to meet with administrators at the faith-based school, hoping for understanding and a resolution. Instead, they were told their child would be placed on a two-week “behavioral improvement plan,” with potential consequences looming.
“We weren’t being combative. We were simply asking for grace,” Aletta said. “We know our rights. We felt this was discriminatory.”
Preschool Expulsion Racial Disparities Lead to Legal Action
After expressing their concerns and mentioning they might involve the federal Office for Civil Rights, the Williamsons say they received an unexpected and devastating email once they got home: their son was expelled immediately due to the “threat of litigation.”
His belongings were mailed back.
Now 4 years old, the child — identified as J.W. in court documents — is at the center of a civil rights lawsuit filed in February 2024. Attorney Artur Davis, with support from Public Justice, is representing the Williamsons, alleging that the school acted with racial bias.
“This is about standing up — not just for our son, but for all children,” Aletta emphasizes. “The God we believe in loves every child, no matter their race.”
The school’s leadership has publicly denied all allegations, stating that Heritage Preschools maintains high standards and looks forward to defending its actions in court.
Despite that, the Williamsons are committed to pushing for change and awareness around Preschool Expulsion Racial Disparities.
“When schools preach grace and inclusiveness but don’t practice it,” says Davis, “they must be held accountable.”
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Source: www.people.com
