• Letter to parents
• Good conduct
  begins at home
• The need for a
  discipline code
• Putting the discipline
  code into action
• If your child breaks
  the rules
• Students’ rights and
  responsibilities
• Planning for safety
  and security
• Learning about safety
  in your child’s school
• Helping keep your
  child’s school safe
• Protecting your child
  in school
• Thanks!
• APPENDIX
• AFT Bill of Rights
  and Responsibilities
  of Learning

APPENDIX
How you can teach your child about the discipline code

Below is an abridged version of the Department of Education's discipline code. The full code lists 37 specific infractions at seven levels of severity. Each has a range of consequences, from minimum to maximum, that school authorities can impose. The examples offer only one possible consequence for each infraction. However, the code allows school officials to use their judgment in imposing the most appropriate penalty within the range of actions. Thus, a Level 1 infraction, such as being late for school or class, requires at least a student/teacher conference, but may involve a reprimand or a letter home.

If your school doesn't have a copy of the official code, you may request one at your school district office or download a printable file from the Department of Education website through this link.

BOARD OF EDUCATION DISCIPLINE CODE (abridged)

INFRACTION	POSSIBLE ACTION (examples; principals may have additional options)
Making excessive noise in a classroom, hall or school building	Student/teacher conference
Wearing clothing that is unsafe or disruptive to the educational process	Reprimand by school dean
Cutting classes	Notification of parent by letter or phone call
Using profane or obscene language	Individual/group counseling
Smoking	Exclusion from extracurricular activities
Cheating	Intervention by mental health staff
Using slurs based upon race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation or disability	Guidance conference with student and parent
Engaging in sexual harassment	Referral to appropriate community agency
Engaging in vandalism or other intentional damage to property belonging to the school staff or other students (e.g., graffiti)	Restitution of damaged property
Falsely activating a fire alarm	Principal's suspension
Engaging in theft	Superintendent's suspension which may result in transfer to another school or continued suspension for a fixed period of 6 to 30 school days. Plus possible criminal charges.
Possessing or using illegal drugs or alcohol	Superintendent's suspension which may result in extended suspension for one calendar year with opportunity to petition for early readmission. Plus possible criminal charges.
Possessing or using a firearm	Superintendent's suspension which will result in a one-year suspension and transfer to an alternative program for students in grades 6-12 and to an alternative program for students in grades K-5. Plus possible criminal charges.

 

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