Pushback on the Pushout

Aug 7, 2026

Pulling Back the Pre-K Pushout

For many years, the educators and staff in the early learning sector rang the alarm on the low wages of the sector and underfunding of programs that are critical to our nation’s economy. Simultaneously, health professionals warned of historic increases in the number of children being diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders, developmental delays, and mental health challenges.

Yesterday, Philadelphia City Council’s Education Committee, led by Councilmember Isaiah Thomas, shone a light on what happens when these two crises collide. Children, including those as young as 18 months old, are covertly being suspended and expelled from early learning programs at an alarmingly high rate, a practice known as the preschool pushout.

Children First spent three years studying preschool pushout and, in 2025, released a comprehensive report documenting the practice, offering policy recommendations to change the status quo for exceptional children with special needs.

Inella Ray, Director of Parent Advocacy and Engagement, who helped author the report, testified that “pre-k pushout is not the result of a single child’s behavior or a single educator’s decision. It is the predictable outcome of fragmented systems that leave families without support, educators without the resources they deserve, and children without timely access to the services they need.”

The hearing was a galvanizing moment for frustrated parents, representatives of the underfunded and short-staffed early learning sector, and allies from across the city, including advocacy groups, the Mayor’s Office, the City’s Office of Children and Families, and the School District of Philadelphia.

The parent voices rang loud and true as they shared their lived experience of the preschool pushout practice, some reliving their trauma with the hopes that their stories could compel lawmakers to do something to stop this inequitable practice.

Hadria Leon shared her heartbreaking story of her son, Otto, getting pushed out of preschool on his very first day. When she picked up Otto, the director pulled her aside and said that he was having sensory overload and overstimulation, they didn’t have the resources to take care of him and recommended he go to another place.

With tears in her eyes, Hadria testified that, “I was so scared. I talked with the school a few more times. I was devastated. I begged the director. The school refused my offers of support and my ideas for how to best support my child, and racism played a part in my experience. I had to start all over.”

Children First’s report laid out tangible ways in which funding and support from government officials and lawmakers can prevent kids like Otto being pushed out.

In addition to funding specific programs that seek to stop pushout from happening by supporting programs like Family Navigators and Rapid Response, the policy recommendations included adding a special payment to child care providers that cover the additional expense of serving children with special needs, much like the special education funds available to K-12 public schools. These “add-on” payments are already being implemented in 36 other states.

These recommendations would be game changers for the sector. However, the same stakeholders and professionals in City Hall yesterday must to continue to work together to ensure this practice ultimately goes away.

When parents have the knowledge, tools, and empowerment to fight for their kids before they get pushed out and providers have the resources, training, and funding they need to serve those children, we can make sure all children have what they need to thrive.

Do you have a plan to vote? The November elections are in less than 100 days – and now is the time to either register to vote or request your mail-in ballot. Don’t wait until the last minute!

The Trump Administration is proposing sweeping deregulation changes to Head Start, posturing that they will open more slots for kids. Instead it will create uneven standards across the country in this longstanding successful program for kids.

Young people know what they are experiencing. They also know what support is missing. And they want you to know.

On August 18th, hear directly from youth and families from across Pennsylvania, in conversation with elected officials, as they discuss what mental health supports are and ARE NOT available in their community.

“At a time when misinformation and conspiracy theories are sowing distrust in longstanding medical guidance, and reversing decades of science-backed progress, it’s more important than ever that DOH provide Pennsylvanians with as much accurate information as possible.”

– Governor Shapiro on the launch of a state immunization tracking tool that – for the first time – displays vaccination rates at individual schools. Student vaccine rates are lower than recommended.

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