ÁùºÏ±¦µä Board Approves Revisions to Student Discipline for Pre-K Through Second Grade

  1. Home
  2. Media Relations
  3. ÁùºÏ±¦µä Board Approves Revisions to Student Discipline for Pre-K Through Second Grade
ÁùºÏ±¦µä ISD trustees voted Monday night to revise the student disciplinary policy to state that no elementary student
prior tothird grade shall be home suspended, placed into a disciplinary alternative education program or expelled,
unless when required by law or for behavior that represents a clear and present danger of physical injury to the student,
other students or school personnel.
 
As part of the policy, principals and teachers will consult with parents and/or guardians prior to home suspension.
 
In the 2014-15 and 2015-16 school years, less than 1 percent of ÁùºÏ±¦µä's Pre-K through second-grade student population
was suspended.
 
Students may still receive a home suspension when required by law or for behavior that represents a clear and
present danger of physical injury to the student, other students or school personnel.
 
As part of the district's reinvention of the urban education experience, and an equity study undertaken by ÁùºÏ±¦µä, this change
in policy supports the implementation of non-punitive discipline practices, creating a responsive and supportive
learning environment.
 
The U.S. Department of Education created a policy statement that includes recommendations regarding policy, goal-setting and early intervention and prevention. The statement also suggests the implementation of a policy that eliminates or severely 
limits expulsion, suspension or other exclusionary discipline for students in early childhood. 
 
Additional staff will support campuses as they address discipline challenges and students' behavior skill development, and
will deliver professional learning to campus administrators and teachers. 
 
This policy change comes after ÁùºÏ±¦µä ISD implemented SEL in all campuses, focused on restorative practices and proactive
interventions as part of multi-tiered systems of support.
###

ÁùºÏ±¦µä is the largest school district in central Texas, serving more than 83,000 students at 130 schools.

Follow ÁùºÏ±¦µä on Facebook at www.facebook.com/austinisd, Instagram at @austinisd or on Twitter at @ÁùºÏ±¦µäISD.