The purpose of this guide is to provide relevant, specific recommended policies and practices that are actionable. The recommended policies and practices are based on the most important research for eliminating suspensions and expulsions in early childhood settings and were developed with guidance from a panel of national experts. There are many resources for early childhood caregivers, educators, and program leaders on supporting social-emotional development, reducing challenging behavior, recognizing the role of cultural differences and implicit biases, and eliminating suspensions and expulsions. This guide organizes these resources into a coherent and comprehensive framework that is easily accessible.

To help you prioritize what recommended policies and practices are most necessary and timely to implement in your program, we have developed a self-assessment. The self-assessment is an optional tool that includes a brief questionnaire to help you reflect on your program’s policies, practices, and needs. The results of the self-assessment will help you reflect on your strengths and needs and provide you a roadmap to navigating the guide.