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Discipline Without Delay

What You Need to Know

2009All Rights Reserved.

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Confirming our Commitment

• Parents and the public deserve to know their children are learning in a safe, orderly environment

• In 2007, AFT-West Virginia and WVSSPA surveyed the public and school employees on this critical issue

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School Employees And the Public Are in Sync

• 58% of public disagrees that schools “are safer today than they were 10 years ago.”

• 58% of teachers and other school employees call student misbehavior a “significant problem”

Their Views on Safety/Discipline:

100

90

80

70

60

50

40

30

20

10

0

School Public Employees

58% 58%

A majority are dissatisfied

The poll of the public was conducted in January 2007, and the poll of school employees were taken in October 2007.

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The Consequences of Student Misbehavior

• When polled, more than 1 out of 3 teachers estimated that up to 20% of instructional time is lost due to disruptive behavior

• 92% of school employees said that bullying is a problem at their school or on their bus

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The Safe Schools Act

• Originally passed by the West Virginia Legislature in 1995

• AFT-WV and WVSSPA successfully lobbied legislators in 2008 to strengthen the law

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What You Need to Know About

the Law

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Reasons for Exclusion

A student can be excluded from the classroom or the bus for:

• abusing or threatening a fellow student or a school employee

• disobeying a school employee

• using profane or abusive language toward a school employee, or

• interfering with an orderly educational process

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Once a Student Is Excluded

• It is the job of the principal — not the teacher’s or bus operator’s — to inform the parent of this action

• After 1st exclusion, the student cannot be returned until the principal gives “written certification” to the teacher or bus operator

• This “certification” form explains the specific disciplinary action that was taken

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After the 2nd Exclusion• Once again, the

principal informs the parent that his/her child was excluded from class or the bus

• When there are 2 exclusions during the same semester, this triggers a 3-step process that is carefully outlined in the law

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Step 1: A Conference

• A conference is required by law before a disruptive student can be readmitted

• The following persons participate in this conference:

– Teacher or bus operator

– Principal (or designee)

– Parent/guardian of the student

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Step 2: Agreement on a Course of Discipline

• The teacher/bus operator and principal discuss and reach agreement on a course of discipline to take for this student

• The parent of the disruptive student is informed of the course of discipline that will be implemented

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Step 3: Written Certification

• The principal provides “written certification” to the teacher or bus operator — a document that is completed before the student is readmitted

• This document explains the specific disciplinary action that was taken

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What About the “Written Certification” Document?

• This is an important document — keep a copy for your records

• If you aren’t given a personal copy of it, request a photocopy of the original document

• If your request for a copy is ignored, contact AFT-WV immediately

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If You Don’t Receive “Written Certification”

• Ask again for a copy of it

• If the principal insists that you readmit a student without giving you this form, accept the student, but then

• Contact AFT-WV right away — in this case, your principal is violating state law

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How LSICs Can Lead the Way to Better Discipline

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What Is an LSIC?

• Created by state law

• Each W.V. public school must have a Local School Improvement Council

• Each LSIC has 11 to 13 members

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Who Serves on the LSIC?• Principal

• 3 teachers

• Bus operator

• School service employee

• 3 parents of students enrolled there

• 2 at-large members (public/business)

• Student — only if the school serves students in grade 7 or higher

• Vocational director (if applicable)

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How Are They Chosen?• Principal

• 3 teachers

• Bus operator

• School service employee

• 3 parents of students enrolled there

• 2 at-large members* (public/business)

• Student — if the school serves students in grade 7 or higher

• Vocational director (if applicable)

Must be elected by their peers

* – appointed by principal

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A Major Role for Each LSIC• Article 5A gives the LSIC at each school

new authority to monitor discipline policies

• Each LSIC prepares a report to the county superintendent that grades the “fairness and consistency of disciplinary actions at the school”

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Preparing Its Report• Each LSIC should:

– Collect information such as copies of the written certification forms that each principal is required to provide

– Survey school employees on their perceptions of how well discipline policy is being enforced

– Review the school’s discipline code

• Students’ names should be blacked out in all documents to preserve their confidentiality

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If the LSIC’s Report Raises Concern About Discipline

• The county superintendent (or designee) is required to respond in writing to the LSIC within 10 days

• Each county school board must retain and file all reports so members of the public can review it

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How Else Can LSICs Be a Positive Influence?

• By law, each LSIC is required each year

“to conduct a meeting to engage parents, students, school employees and other interested parties in a positive and interactive dialogue regarding effective discipline policies”

• Each LSIC is directed to meet with the county school board to discuss discipline and other issues.

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What Can You Do?Everyone Has a Role to Play

• Consider serving on your school’s LSIC, or if not:

Know who your LSIC members are

Closely follow the work of your LSIC

Attend LSIC meetings or ask for a copy of the minutes

Make sure your LSIC is meeting at least once every 9 weeks

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LSICs & the 9-Weeks Rule

• State law requires each LSIC to “meet at least once every nine weeks”

• If you don’t think your LSIC is doing so, ask an administrator for a copy of the minutes from the most recent LSIC meeting

• If you need support in this area, contact your local AFT president or staff rep

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An Ounce of Prevention

• Through an AFT-WV program, teachers and staff can enhance their classroom management skills — contact us for more info

• Urge your principal to work cooperatively with you and AFT to strengthen your school’s professional development in the area of discipline

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A Local Tool-Kit

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What’s in the Tool-Kit?

1. Q & A pamphlet

2. “Discipline Without Delay” slide presentation

3. “Did You Know?” palm card — to be circulated by building reps

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What’s in the Tool-Kit?

5. “Discipline Without Delay” resolution — it can be submitted to your school board, your LSICs and your local labor council

6. A copy of the “Bill of Rights and Responsibilities”

7. A Guide to the WV Safe Schools Act (10-page booklet)

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Questions?

Concerns?

Comments?