Breakdown:

1. Introduction: Addressing the Comment
   • Introduction to the comment received on a viral post: “Anybody of any color can do and be what they want; it just takes hard work.”
   • Explanation of how, despite the desire for this to be true, research and data tell a different story.
   • Preview of the critical issue to be discussed: the preschool to prison pipeline and its impact on Black boys.
2. The Shocking Truth About Preschool Expulsions
   • Presentation of the surprising statistic that preschoolers are expelled at a rate 3.5 times higher than K-12 students.
   • Explanation of the frequency and scale of preschool expulsions, with an average of 250 children expelled per day.
   • Clarification that these numbers are likely underestimated and not reflective of the true scope of the issue.
3. The Disproportionate Impact on Black Boys
   • Breakdown of the demographics of those being expelled, focusing on the alarming rate at which Black boys are targeted.
   • Discussion on how Black boys, while only 15% of the preschool population, account for 50% of all preschool expulsions.
   • Analysis of the underlying biases and perceptions that lead to the disproportionate expulsion of Black boys.
4. The 2016 Study: Bias in the Classroom
   • Overview of the 2016 study where 150 preschool teachers were observed using eye-tracking technology.
   • Findings that teachers spent more time monitoring the Black boy in the study, even though none of the children were misbehaving.
   • Implications of this bias, suggesting that Black boys are more likely to be perceived as troublemakers, even without cause.
5. The Long-Term Consequences of Preschool Expulsion
   • Exploration of how being expelled from preschool at ages three to four impacts a child’s self-perception and attitude toward education.
   • Statistics showing that children expelled from preschool are 10 times more likely to be expelled from high school.
   • The alarming correlation between high school expulsion and an 800% increased likelihood of future incarceration.
6. The Intergenerational Corkscrew Effect
   • Introduction to the concept of the “preschool to prison corkscrew,” as described by Dr. Walter Gilliam.
   • Examination of how children of incarcerated individuals are three times more likely to be expelled from preschool, perpetuating a vicious cycle.
   • Discussion on how this intergenerational cycle traps families in a pattern of discrimination, educational failure, and incarceration.
7. Policy Change: The Key to Breaking the Cycle
   • Overview of existing policy changes in several states aimed at reducing preschool expulsions and addressing educational inequities.
   • Examples of successful policy interventions and their impact on creating more equitable educational environments.
   • Argument for the importance of continued policy reform to dismantle the preschool to prison pipeline and promote racial equity.
8. Conclusion: Moving Forward with Awareness and Action
   • Reiteration of the importance of understanding the research and data behind the preschool to prison pipeline.
   • Call to action for educators, policymakers, and the public to support changes that will ensure all children, regardless of race, have an equal opportunity to succeed.
   • Final thoughts on the role of awareness, advocacy, and policy in creating a more just and equitable society.