Student Discipline
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Transcript Student Discipline
MAPP Conference 19 November 2010
SCHOOL DISCIPLINE HEARINGS
Buzz Williams
Assistant Supervisor in Student Services
Harford County Public Schools
[email protected]
410-588-5336
Purpose
To provide an overview of school disciplinary
hearing procedures.
Maryland has 24 school systems
…and 24 unique procedures for conducting
school discipline hearings.
Our titles across Maryland:
Superintendent’s Designee
Hearing Officer
Director of Student Services
Assistant Supervisor in Student Services
Pupil Personnel Worker
Special Assistant for Safe and Orderly Schools
Administrative Director of Secondary Ed.
Coordinator of Student Services Appeals Unit
Continuum of Approaches
Counseling
Courtroom
Common Components
Case Preparation
Introduction
Hearing
Discussion
Disposition
Closure
Documentation
Case Preparation
Demographic information
Administrative incident report
Due Process
Discipline history
Attendance history
Academic history
Possible consequences
Due Process (14th Amendment)
Constitutional guarantee of fairness.
Student informed of violations
Opportunity to tell student’s story
Before suspension
Investigation that factors student’s story
A decision supported by evidence
Witnesses, statements, video, photos
Laws, policies, and procedures followed
Possible Consequences
Reduce suspension and return to home school
Return to home school after 10 suspension days
Extend suspension (5, 10, 15); return to home school
Short-term expulsion from home school
(1Q, 2Q, 3Q, 4Q); place at Alt Ed; review optional
Short-term expulsion; no ed services
Long-term expulsion from home school; place Alt
Ed through graduation
Permanent expulsion; no ed services
Consequence Criteria
Age—older = more accountable
Violation type—dangerous?
Remorse—sorry for violation?
Resolve—committed to follow rules?
Discipline history—patterns?
Attendance—satisfactory?
Grades—making effort to learn?
Credits—on track to graduate?
Intervention—contract for reduced suspension?
School System Policy—non-negotiable?
Greeting and Introduction
Greet student, family, and advocates
Assign seating
Demonstrate mutual respect
Explain Procedures
Audio recording
Check that all are ready to begin
Hearing
Official introduction
Minutes or audio recording
Hearing officer, school system, date, purpose,
student name, violation (s), participants, audio
recording notification
Student response to violation (s)
Presentation of administrator’s evidence
Presentation of student evidence
Decision about violation (s)
Discussion
Discipline history
Attendance
Grades
Credits
On track to graduate?
Remorse
Resolve
Interventions
Letters of apology, mediation, mentoring, counseling,
physician referral, disability assessment, contract
Closure
Summarize hearing decision
Summarize consequence and placement
Review reentry/enrollment date and
conditions
Ask each participant for closing comments
End audio recording or minutes
Documentation
Complete administrative report
hearing, decision, discussion, consequence,
placement, rationale, and reentry conditions
Send letter to parent
hearing decision, consequence, and placement
Reentry Contract
Conditions for reentry to school
Elementary Age Students
Frequently reduced to less than 10 days
Include familiar staff from school
Allow administrator to suggest tone
Developmentally appropriate communication
Empower parents to help communicate
Include administrator in reentry conditions
Special Ed
10 removal days & FAPE
Manifestation mtg summaries required
“Yes-manifestation” = no conference; end susp.
Manifestation mtg summary cites IAES
Home School
Alternative Ed
Other
Reportable Offenses
Cite COMAR Reg 7-303
Case review, not suspension
7-303 = not subject to the appeal rules of
suspension under 7-305
Administrative placement can be made based
on charge prior to legal hearing
Charge linked to school with potential for danger
or disruption
Documentation not part of student record
Suspension Reductions
Substance Abuse Counseling
Tobacco Education Classes
Fire Marshall Classes
Sexting Education Counseling
Bus Safety Counseling
Sensitivity Counseling
Peaceful Conflict Resolution Counseling
Anger Management Counseling
Maryland Association of School
Discipline Hearing Officers
MASDHO
PPWs are encouraged to join
http://hcps.org/masdho
Question & Answer
CONCLUSION