The Governing Board is committed to providing a safe, supportive, and positive school environment which is conducive to student learning and to preparing students for responsible citizenship by fostering self-discipline and personal responsibility. The Board believes that high expectations for student behavior, use of effective school and classroom management strategies, provision of appropriate intervention and support, and parent involvement can minimize the need for disciplinary measures that exclude students from instruction as a means for correcting student misbehavior.
(cf. 5131 - Conduct)
(cf. 5131.1 - Bus Conduct)
(cf. 5131.2 - Bullying)
(cf. 5137 - Positive School Climate)
(cf. 5145.9 - Hate-Motivated Behavior)
(cf. 6020 - Parent Involvement)
The Superintendent or designee shall design a complement of effective, age-appropriate strategies for maintaining a positive school climate and correcting student misbehavior at district schools. The strategies shall focus on providing students with needed supports; communicating clear, appropriate, and consistent expectations and consequences for student conduct; and ensuring equity and continuous improvement in the implementation of district discipline policies and practices.
In addition, the Superintendent or designee's strategies shall reflect the Board's preference for the use of positive interventions and alternative disciplinary measures over exclusionary discipline measures as a means for correcting student misbehavior.
Disciplinary measures that may result in loss of instructional time or cause students to be disengaged from school, such as detention, suspension, and expulsion, shall be imposed only when required by law or when other means of correction have been documented to have failed. (Education Code 48900.5)
(cf. 5020 - Parent Rights and Responsibilities)
(cf. 5144.1 - Suspension and Expulsion/Due Process)
(cf. 5144.2 - Suspension and Expulsion/Due Process (Students with Disabilities))
(cf. 6159.4 - Behavioral Interventions for Special Education Students)
(cf. 6164.5 - Student Success Teams)
The Superintendent or designee shall create a model discipline matrix that lists violations and the consequences for each as allowed by law.
The administrative staff at each school may develop disciplinary rules to meet the school's particular needs consistent with law, Board policy, and district regulations. The Board, at an open meeting, shall review the approved school discipline rules for consistency with Board policy and state law. Site-level disciplinary rules shall be included in the district's comprehensive safety plan. (Education Code 35291.5, 32282)
(cf. 0450 - Comprehensive Safety Plan)
(cf. 9320 - Meetings and Notices)
At all times, the safety of students and staff and the maintenance of an orderly school environment shall be priorities in determining appropriate discipline. When misconduct occurs, staff shall attempt to identify the causes of the student's behavior and implement appropriate discipline. When choosing between different disciplinary strategies, staff shall consider the effect of each option on the student's health, well-being, and opportunity to learn.
Staff shall enforce disciplinary rules fairly, consistently and in accordance with the district's nondiscrimination policies.
(cf. 0410 - Nondiscrimination in District Programs and Activities)
(cf. 5145.3 - Nondiscrimination/Harassment)
(cf. 5145.7 - Sexual Harassment)
The Superintendent or designee shall provide professional development as necessary to assist staff in developing the skills needed to effectively implement the disciplinary strategies adopted for district schools, including, but not limited to, consistent school and classroom management skills, effective accountability and positive intervention techniques, and development of strong, cooperative relationships with parents/guardians.
(cf. 4131 - Staff Development)
(cf. 4231 - Staff Development)
(cf. 4331 - Staff Development)
District goals for improving school climate, based on suspension and expulsion rates, surveys of students, staff, and parents/guardians regarding their sense of school safety, and other local measures, shall be included in the district's local control and accountability plan, as required by law.
(cf. 0460 - Local Control and Accountability Plan)
(cf. 3100 - Budget)
At the beginning of each school year, the Superintendent or designee shall report to the Board regarding disciplinary strategies used in district schools in the immediately preceding school year and their effect on student learning.
Legal Reference:
CIVIL CODE
1714.1 Parental liability for child's misconduct
EDUCATION CODE
32280-32288 School safety plans
35146 Closed sessions
35291 Rules
35291.5-35291.7 School-adopted discipline rules
37223 Weekend classes
44807.5 Restriction from recess
48900-48926 Suspension and expulsion
48980-48985 Notification of parents or guardians
49000-49001 Prohibition of corporal punishment
49330-49335 Injurious objects
52060-52077 Local control and accountability plan
CODE OF REGULATIONS, TITLE 5
307 Participation in school activities until departure of bus
353 Detention after school
Management Resources:
CSBA PUBLICATIONS
Providing a Safe, Nondiscriminatory School Environment for Transgender and Gender-Nonconforming Students, Policy Brief, February 2014
Safe Schools: Strategies for Governing Boards to Ensure Student Success, 2011
Maximizing Opportunities for Physical Activity during the School Day, Fact Sheet, 2009
CDE PROGRAM ADVISORIES
Classroom Management: A California Resource Guide for Teachers and Administrators of Elementary and Secondary Schools, 2000
WEB SITES
USDOE: http://www.ed.gov
CSBA: http://www.csba.org
Public Counsel: http://www.fixschooldiscipline.org
U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr
Policy CENTINELA VALLEY UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT
adopted: April 12, 2016 Lawndale, California