Baltimore City Public Schools Permanent Expulsion Policy

BALTIMORE BALTIMORE CITYCITY

PUBLIC PUBLIC SCHOOLSSCHOOLS

PROPOSED REVISIONS TO STUDENT PROPOSED REVISIONS TO STUDENT DISCIPLINE POLICYDISCIPLINE POLICY

Jonathan BriceJonathan BriceExecutive Director Student Support and SafetyExecutive Director Student Support and Safety

September 21, 2009September 21, 2009

Incidents that led to SuspensionIncidents that led to Suspension2

2002 – 2003 26, 057 incidents

SY 2003 – 2004 26, 295 incidents

SY 2004 – 2005 16,631 incidents

SY 2005 – 2006 15,031 incidents

SY 2006 – 2007 16,752 incidents

SY 2007-2008 14,744 incidents

SY 2008-2009 11,059 incidents

Reduction in the number of incidents leading to suspension of more than 5,000 since the end of SY 2006-2007



Board Rule 507 Suspensions and ExpulsionsBoard Rule 507 Suspensions and Expulsions

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Revised in August 26, 2003

Includes information about In School Suspension

Addressed discipline issues of Special Education students

Required monthly tracking of all suspensions



Board Rule 507 Suspensions and ExpulsionsBoard Rule 507 Suspensions and Expulsions

Principals currently have authority to suspend a student for more than 5 days but no more than 10 without CEO approval.

A suspension period of more than ten (10) school days but no more than forty-five (45) school days is currently categorized as a “long-term suspension.”

Procedural steps that are taken around student discipline are included in Board Rule 507.

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Rationale for Proposed ChangesRationale for Proposed Changes

Increased focus on classroom management and behavioral interventions.

City Schools recognizes the need for consequences in disciplining students, monitoring student suspensions beyond 5 days is needed to reduce the number of days that students are excluded from the classroom.

Board Rule, Section 507 currently includes policy as well as procedural steps. As a result, Board approval is needed to change procedural steps.

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Proposed Changes to Current Board Rule 507Proposed Changes to Current Board Rule 507

Only the CEO or designated representative may suspend a student beyond 5 school days. Principals will have authority to suspend up to 5 days and can propose a student for more than 5 days. However, the proposal for a suspension beyond 5 days is reviewed by Office of Suspension Services and they are responsible for making a decision about the case.

Long-term suspension” will be changed to “extended suspension” to be consistent with COMAR.

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Proposed Changes to Current PolicyProposed Changes to Current Policy

Administrative regulations now include classroom management and behavioral interventions.

Expulsions may be permanent and will be determined by criteria provided in CEO’s administrative regulation JKA-RB.

Procedural steps will be removed from Board Rule, Section 507 and placed in CEO’s administrative regulations.

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Administrative Regulations Related to Administrative Regulations Related to Student DisciplineStudent Discipline

JKA-RA: Classroom Management and Student Behavioral Interventions

JKA-RB: Student Suspension and ExpulsionJKA-RC: Suspension or Expulsion of Students

with Disabilities Who Qualify for Services under IDEA

JKA-RD: Suspension or Expulsion of a Student with Disabilities Under Section 504.

JKA-RE: Student Suspected of Having a Disability

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JKA-RA: Classroom Management and Student JKA-RA: Classroom Management and Student Behavioral InterventionsBehavioral Interventions

All new material; consistent with COMAR and the Student Code of Conduct

Sets forth steps to be taken for inappropriate and disruptive behavior

Provides guidelines for: Detention/Community service/restorative justice strategies Exclusion/physical restraint/seclusion Prohibit use of mechanical restraint

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JKA-RB: Student Suspension and JKA-RB: Student Suspension and ExpulsionExpulsion

• Principals will now have to propose any suspension in excess of 5 days; criteria for perm exp and guidelines for perm exp student’s possible return to City Schools

• All guidelines provide for student’s due process rights

• Guidelines for in-school suspension:• Still limited to 6 days (aggregate)/semester• Program must be pre-approved by appropriate

Executive Director

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JKA-RB: Student Suspension and ExpulsionJKA-RB: Student Suspension and Expulsion

Guidelines for short-term suspension: Principal only has authority to suspend up to 5 days (not 10)

Guidelines for extended suspensions and expulsions: Replacing “long-term suspension” with “extended suspension”

(consistent with COMAR) Provides procedures for school-based administrator and

suspension counselors Criteria for permanent expulsions Provides for automatic appeal to the Board for all permanent

expulsions Sets forth guidelines for possible return to home school for

students under 16 who have been permanently expelled

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Permanent Expulsion CriteriaPermanent Expulsion Criteria

Determine, on a case-by-case basis, whether the recommendation will be for a permanent expulsion, based on the following criteria:

a) the student was found to have intentionally used explosives in a City Schools building or on City Schools property;

b) the student was found to have intentionally set a fire or committed arson in a City Schools building or on City Schools property; or

c)the student committed some other serious offense that impacted the safety and security of students, teachers, and/or staff;

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Staff Review and AppealStaff Review and Appeal

Two levels of administrative review: Office of Suspension Services Director CEO or Designee

Automatic Appeal to Board of School Commissioners

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Services for Students Permanently Services for Students Permanently Expelled Expelled

Special Education students will receive educational services based on their IEP.

Regular Education students under the age of 16 who are found to have committed an offense resulting in a permanent expulsion:

1. will be assigned to an alternative program for a period of at least 180 school days;

2. will be required to meet four guidelines on a quarterly basis in order to be considered eligible for a return to their home school at the conclusion of the 180 school days:

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Permanent Expulsion Reinstatement Permanent Expulsion Reinstatement CriteriaCriteria

A. 80% or better attendance; B. no disciplinary incidents requiring single or

cumulative out-of-program exclusions of more than five days; and

C. completion of the fire starter and/or other program

of support, including drug abuse prevention, if warranted.

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Student Review ProcessStudent Review Process

Each case will be reviewed by the alternative program’s Student Support Team with written, quarterly progress reports provided to the Executive Director of Safety and Student Support.

If a student is found to have not met the reinstatement guidelines set forth in VI.G.2., the Executive Director of Safety and Student Support may administratively withdraw the student from City Schools.

If at any time the student is found noncompliant with VI.G.2.c., the case review by the Executive Director of Safety and Student Support will be immediate.

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JKA-RC: Suspension or Expulsion of Students with Disabilities JKA-RC: Suspension or Expulsion of Students with Disabilities Who Qualify for Services under IDEAWho Qualify for Services under IDEA

Guidelines for suspension of student with disability for not more than 10 cumulative or consecutive school days

Guidelines for suspension of student with disability for more than 10 cumulative school days Includes referral to IEP team Requires principal to consult with at least one of the student’s

teachers Guidelines for suspension of student with disability for more than 10

consecutive school days Principal must consult with at least one of the student’s teachers to

determine what services should be provided Notification to the IEP team for manifestation determination Detailed procedures for the manifestation determination

Guidelines for possession of weapon or drugs, use or sale of controlled substance, and infliction of serious bodily injury

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JKA-RD: Suspension or Expulsion of a Student JKA-RD: Suspension or Expulsion of a Student with Disabilities Under Section 504. with Disabilities Under Section 504.

Wholly newRequires referral to 504 team for any combination of

in-school, short-term, or extended suspension that totals more than 10 school days per school year504 team, including parent, meets to review the

appropriateness of student’s 504 and to make manifestation determination

Guidelines provided for manifestation determination process

Parents who disagree with 504 team’s decision may request due process hearing.

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JKA-RE: Student Suspected of Having a JKA-RE: Student Suspected of Having a DisabilityDisability

Guidance for when City Schools had knowledge of student’s disability but student had not yet been identified Explains how to determine if City Schools had knowledge of

disability Sets forth when City Schools will not be held to have

knowledge of student’s disability

Provides for expedited evaluation of student if written referral is received while student is subject to disciplinary measures

If IEP team determines student has disability, special education and related services will be provided

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Public CommentsPublic Comments

Anyone may review this draft policy at http://www.boarddocs.com/mabe/bcpss/Board.nsf/Public?OpenFrameset.

The public is invited to review this draft policy and send feedback to [email protected]

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