Lead Exposure Linked to School Suspensions – Again!

by | August 16, 2013

Home 9 Early Care and Education 9 Lead Exposure Linked to School Suspensions – Again! ( Page 8 )

A news release on 8/14 highlights a new UW-Madison study funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Wisconsin Partnership program Education and Research Committee, that confirms the link between exposure to lead and school suspensions.  Specifically, the study found that “Our study found that children exposed to lead were more than twice as likely to be suspended in the 4th grade….” and calculated that “…23 percent of the (racial) disparity in the (discipline gap) was explained by differences in rates of lead exposure”.

This should not be news to us. The impact of lead exposure, even at levels previously thought to be safe, is impacting early child development and learning – and more importantly, we know how to fix it. I’ve said it before, of all the things that we know contribute to a host of “bad” outcomes for kids, exposure to lead is one of the ones we know how to change – but we need a concerted effort to invest in making those changes.  For more information, check out Lead Safe Wisconsin.  by Jim Moeser

Kids Forward
Kids Forward

Join us to build a Wisconsin where every child and family thrives.

Recent

Explained: End Juvenile Life Without Parole in Wisconsin

Explained: End Juvenile Life Without Parole in Wisconsin

Wisconsin relies far too much on incarceration and blames children for system-wide failures. Instead of incarceration, a better investment for Wisconsin’s youth is in basic needs such as health, housing, and employment.  Wisconsin should reimagine a community-based continuum of care grounded in youth voice, emerging adult research, and cross-system collaboration. 

Testimony: End Juvenile Life Without Parole in Wisconsin

Testimony: End Juvenile Life Without Parole in Wisconsin

Kids Forward supports SB801/AB845, which would eliminate juvenile life without parole. This critical advancement towards a more developmentally appropriate juvenile justice system will reduce and repair harm, decrease racial disparities, increase child and family wellbeing, and increase opportunities for community-based alternatives to incarceration. 

Sign up for Emails

Your address helps us identify your legislators and the most relevant messages to send you.