The schools conversation happens everywhere – the playground, work events, even in line at the supermarket. However, it is often focused on K-12 education. The pressures of getting your kid into the “right” school, moving somewhere with “good” schools, and playing the system to gain as much advantage as possible, usually revolve around K-12. However, despite the lack of guaranteed preschool in many places across the country, there are plenty of opportunities for families to make decisions that reflect their values and support their communities even for our youngest learners.

In this episode, we dive into the topic of preschool education and the often overlooked issue of segregation. We are joined by Dr. Casey Stockstill, author of the upcoming book False Starts: The Segregated Lives of Preschoolers, to discuss the prevalence and implications of race and class segregation in preschools. The conversation explores our personal experiences and observations, as well as the challenges faced by both children and teachers navigating this complex landscape.

Dr. Stockstill highlights the importance of choosing inclusive and diverse preschool environments that align with our values and contribute towards community-building efforts. We discuss the role of Head Start programs in providing better opportunities for children and how they impact early childhood education. The conversation also addresses teacher-to-student relationships, the challenge of finding mixed-income and racially mixed preschools, and the necessity of community-driven initiatives in early childhood education. Perhaps most importantly, Dr. Stockstill highlights the implications of segregated preschool environments on future learning thought the K-12 experience.

As parents and educators committed to educational equity, we may not always find easy steps or clear answers. Yet, by engaging in such nuanced conversations and making conscious preschool choices, we can play our part in breaking down racial barriers and creating inclusive environments for all children.

LINKS:

• Preorder Dr. Stockstill’s book – False Starts: The Segregated Lives of Preschoolers
• Culture Study interview where we first learned of Dr. Stockstill’s work
• The “Stuff” of Class: How Property Rules in Preschool Reproduce Class Inequality – article by Dr. Stockstill
• Learn more about Head Start
• Dr. Brittany Murray on our show – PTA So White
• Dr. Jessica Calarco – Negotiating Opportunities: How the Middle Class Secures Advantages in School – for more on how the trends we see in preschool show up in future learning environments
• Dr. Susan Faircloth on our show – An Overdue Reckoning on Indigenous Education

ACTION STEPS:

1. Find ways to support local preschools, even if you aren’t directly connected.
2. Support funding increases, universal access, teacher pay increases, etc. for early childhood education.
3. Work with local civil organization to find ways to support enriching educational experiences for all preschool kids.

Use these links or start at our Bookshop.org storefront to support local bookstores, and send a portion of the proceeds back to us.

Join our Patreon to support this work, and connect with us and other listeners to discuss these issues even further.

Let us know what you think of this episode, suggest future topics, or share your story with us – @integratedschls on twitter, IntegratedSchools on Facebook, or email us [email protected].

We’re proud members of Connectd Podcasts, a network dedicated to helping shows like ours grow and thrive. For more info, or to check out their other amazing shows, head over to their website.

The Integrated Schools Podcast was created by Courtney Mykytyn and Andrew Lefkowits.

This episode was produced by Andrew Lefkowits and Val Brown. It was edited, and mixed by Andrew Lefkowits.

Music by Kevin Casey.

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