Guiding Principles A Resource Guide for Improving School ...

1 Department of Education Guiding Principles UNDER REVIEW. This document and the underlying issues are under review by the Department of Education and the Department of Justice (as of August 30, 2021). The December 21, 2018 Dear Colleague Letter that rescinded this document is also under review. The Department of Education s Office for Civil Rights published a Request for Information soliciting written comments from the public regarding the administration of School discipline in schools serving students in pre-K through grade 12. OCR and the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice are committed to ensuring that all students are able to learn and thrive in a safe and non-discriminatory environment. Please note that this notation does not have the effect of reinstating this Principles A Resource Guide for Improving School Climate and Discipline Department of Education UNDER REVIEW.

2 This document and the underlying issues are under review by the Department of Education and the Department of Justice (as of August 30, 2021). The December 21, 2018 Dear Colleague Letter that rescinded this document is also under review. The Department of Education s Office for Civil Rights published a Request for Information soliciting written comments from the public regarding the administration of School discipline in schools serving students in pre-K through grade 12. OCR and the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice are committed to ensuring that all students are able to learn and thrive in a safe and non-discriminatory environment. Please note that this notation does not have the effect of reinstating this Principles A Resource Guide for Improving School Climate and Discipline January 2014 Department of Education Department of Education Guiding Principles UNDER REVIEW.

3 This document and the underlying issues are under review by the Department of Education and the Department of Justice (as of August 30, 2021). The December 21, 2018 Dear Colleague Letter that rescinded this document is also under review. The Department of Education s Office for Civil Rights published a Request for Information soliciting written comments from the public regarding the administration of School discipline in schools serving students in pre-K through grade 12. OCR and the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice are committed to ensuring that all students are able to learn and thrive in a safe and non-discriminatory environment. Please note that this notation does not have the effect of reinstating this Department of Education Arne Duncan Secretary January 2014 This report is in the public domain.

4 Authorization to reproduce it in whole or in part is granted. While permission to reprint this publication is not necessary, the citation should be: Department of Education, Guiding Principles : A Resource Guide for Improving School Climate and Discipline, Washington, , 2014. This Resource is available on the Department s website at Availability of Alternate Formats Requests for documents in alternate formats such as Braille, large print or computer diskettes should be submitted to the Alternate Format Center by calling 202-260-0852 or by contacting the 504 coordinator via email at Department of Education Guiding Principles : , .. , 1-800-USA-LEARN (1-800-872-5327) 1-800-877-8339.

5 Paunawa sa mga Taong Limitado ang Kaalaman sa English: Kung nahihirapan kayong makaintindi ng English, maaari kayong humingi ng tulong ukol dito sa inpormasyon ng Kagawaran mula sa nagbibigay ng serbisyo na pagtulong kaugnay ng wika. Ang serbisyo na pagtulong kaugnay ng wika ay libre. Kung kailangan ninyo ng dagdag na impormasyon tungkol sa mga serbisyo kaugnay ng pagpapaliwanag o pagsasalin, mangyari lamang tumawag sa 1-800-USA-LEARN (1-800-872-5327) (TTY: 1-800-877-8339), o mag-email sa: Уведомление для лиц с ограниченным знанием английского языка: Если вы испытываете трудности в понимании английского языка, вы можете попросить, чтобы вам предоставили перевод информации, которую Министерство Образования доводит до всеобщего сведения. Этот перевод предоставляется бесплатно.

6 Если вы хотите получить более подробную информацию об услугах устного и письменного перевода, звоните по телефону 1-800-USA-LEARN (1-800-872-5327) (служба для слабослышащих: 1-800-877-8339), или отправьте сообщение по адресу: UNDER REVIEW. This document and the underlying issues are under review by the Department of Education and the Department of Justice (as of August 30, 2021). The December 21, 2018 Dear Colleague Letter that rescinded this document is also under review. The Department of Education s Office for Civil Rights published a Request for Information soliciting written comments from the public regarding the administration of School discipline in schools serving students in pre-K through grade 12. OCR and the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice are committed to ensuring that all students are able to learn and thrive in a safe and non-discriminatory environment.

7 Please note that this notation does not have the effect of reinstating this of Language Assistance Notice of Language Assistance: If you have difficulty understanding English, you may, free of charge, request language assistance services for this Department information by calling 1-800-USA-LEARN (1-800-872-5327) (TTY: 1-800-877-8339), or email us at: Aviso a personas con dominio limitado del idioma ingl s: Si usted tiene alguna dificultad en entender el idioma ingl s, puede, sin costo alguno, solicitar asistencia ling stica con respecto a esta informaci n llamando al 1-800-USA-LEARN (1-800-872-5327) (TTY: 1-800-877-8339), o env e un mensaje de correo electr nico a: : 1-800-USA-LEARN (1-800-872-5327) ( 1-800-877-8339), : Th ng b o d nh cho nh ng ng i c kh n ng Anh ng h n ch : N u qu v n tron vi c hi u Anh ng th qu v c th y u c u c c d ch v h tr ng n ng o tin t a B d nh cho c ng ch ng.

8 C c d ch v h tr ng n ng n y u mi n ph . N u qu v mu n bi t th m chi ti t v c c d ch v phi n d ch hay th ng d ch, xin vui l ng g i s 1-800-USA-LEARN (1-800-872-5327) (TTY: 1-800-877-8339), ho c email: Department of Education Guiding Principles UNDER REVIEW. This document and the underlying issues are under review by the Department of Education and the Department of Justice (as of August 30, 2021). The December 21, 2018 Dear Colleague Letter that rescinded this document is also under review. The Department of Education s Office for Civil Rights published a Request for Information soliciting written comments from the public regarding the administration of School discipline in schools serving students in pre-K through grade 12. OCR and the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice are committed to ensuring that all students are able to learn and thrive in a safe and non-discriminatory environment.

9 Please note that this notation does not have the effect of reinstating this Foreword .. i Introduction .. 1 Executive Summary .. 2 Guiding Principle 1: Climate and Prevention .. 5 ACTION STEPS .. 5 (1)Engage in deliberate efforts to create positive School climates.. 5 (2)Prioritize the use of evidence-based prevention strategies, such as tiered supports, to promotepositive student behavior.. 6 (3)Promote social and emotional learning to complement academic skills and encourage 7 (4)Provide regular training and supports to all School personnel including teachers, principals,support staff, and School -based law enforcement officers on how to engage students andsupport positive behavior.. 7 (5)Collaborate with local mental health, child welfare, law enforcement, and juvenile justice agenciesand other stakeholders to align resources, prevention strategies, and intervention services.

10 8 (6)Ensure that any School -based law enforcement officers roles focus on Improving School safetyand reducing inappropriate referrals to law enforcement.. 9 Guiding Principle 2: Clear, Appropriate, and Consistent Expectations and Consequences .. 11 ACTION STEPS .. 12 (1)Set high expectations for behavior and adopt an instructional approach to School discipline.. 12 (2)Involve families, students, and School personnel in the development and implementation ofdiscipline policies or codes of conduct, and communicate those policies regularly and clearly.. 12(3)Ensure that clear, developmentally appropriate, and proportional consequences apply formisbehavior.. 13 (4)Create policies that include appropriate procedures for students with disabilities and due processfor all students.