Student Discipline and Corrective Action

File: JG-R

Definitions.

  1. "Behavioral violation" means a student's behavior that violates the District's discipline policy.
  2. "Classroom exclusion" means the exclusion of a student from a classroom or instructional or activity area for behavioral violations. Classroom exclusion does not include actions that result in missed instruction for a brief duration when:
    1. A teacher or other school personnel attempts other forms of discipline to  support the student in meeting behavioral expectations; and
    2. The student remains under the supervision of the teacher or other school personnel during such brief duration.
  3. "Culturally responsive" includes knowledge of student cultural histories and contexts, as well as family norms and values in different cultures; knowledge and skills in accessing community resources and community and parent outreach; and skills in adapting instruction to students' experiences and identifying cultural contexts for individual students
  4. "Discipline" means any action taken by the District in response to a violation of behavioral expectations.
  5. "Disruption of the educational process" means the interruption of classwork, the creation of disorder, or the invasion of the rights of a student or group of students.
  6. "Emergency expulsion" means the removal of a student from school because the student's presence poses an immediate and continuing danger to other students or school personnel, or an immediate and continuing threat of material and substantial disruption of the educational process.
  7. "Expulsion" means a denial of admission to the student's current school placement in response to a behavioral violation.
  8. "Length of an academic term" means the total number of school days in a single semester.
  9. "Other forms of discipline" means actions used in response to behavioral violations, other than classroom exclusion, suspension, expulsion, or emergency expulsion.
  10. "Parent" means a biological, adoptive, or foster parent, or a guardian legally authorized to act as parent or specifically authorized to make education decisions. 
  11. "School business day" means any calendar day, except Saturdays, Sundays, or any federal, state, or school holiday, when the office of the superintendent of a school district is open to the public for business.
  12. "School day" means any day or partial day that students attend school for instructional purposes.
  13. "Suspension" means a denial of attendance in response to a behavioral violation from any subject or class, or from any full schedule of subjects or classes, but not including classroom exclusions, expulsions, or emergency expulsions.
    1. "In-school suspension" means a suspension in which a student is excluded from the student's regular educational setting but remains in the student's current school placement for up to ten consecutive school days.
    2. "Short-term suspension" means a suspension in which a student is excluded from school for up to ten consecutive school days.
    3. "Long-term suspension" means a suspension in which a student is excluded from school for more than ten consecutive school days.

Classroom exclusions

  1. A teacher, or other authorized school personnel, may exclude a student from the teacher's classroom or instructional or activity area for behavioral violations that disrupt the educational process while the student is under the teacher's immediate supervision.
  2. The teacher must first attempt one or more other forms of discipline to support the student in meeting behavioral expectations, unless the student's presence poses an immediate and continuing danger to other students or school personnel, or an immediate and continuing threat of material and substantial disruption of the educational process. 
  3. A classroom exclusion may be administered for all or any portion of the balance of the school day in which the student was excluded from the student's classroom or instructional or activity area. When a student is excluded from the student's classroom or instructional or activity area for longer than the balance of the school day, the school district must provide notice and due process for a suspension, expulsion, or emergency expulsion.
  4. A student may not be removed from school during a classroom exclusion unless the District provides notice and due process for a suspension, expulsion, or emergency expulsion.
  5. The District must provide the student an opportunity to make up any assignments and tests missed during the classroom exclusion within a reasonable timeframe.
  6. The teacher must report the classroom exclusion and reason to the principal or designee as soon as reasonably possible. 
  7. The teacher, principal, or designee must notify the student's parents regarding the classroom exclusion as soon as reasonably possible and within 24 hours of the exclusion. 

Guidelines: suspensions and expulsions
The District may administer suspensions and expulsions for behavioral violations. In responding to behavioral violations:

  1. Parents should be involved early in efforts to support students in meeting behavioral expectations and resolving behavioral violations.
  2. The student's individual circumstances and the nature and circumstances of the behavioral violation must be considered to determine whether the suspension or expulsion, and the length of the exclusion, is warranted.
  3. Students must be provided an opportunity to receive educational services during a suspension or expulsion and should not be prevented from completing subject, grade-level, or graduation requirements as a result of discipline.
  4. The principal or designee must report all suspensions and expulsions, and the behavioral violation that led to each suspension or expulsion, to the Superintendent or designee within twenty-four hours after the administration of the suspension or expulsion.
  5. Reasonable efforts should be made to return the student to the student’s regular educational setting as soon as possible and allow the student to petition for readmission at any time consistent with the section on readmission within this regulation.
  6. Students may not be suspended or expelled from school for absences or tardiness.
  7. Students may be denied admission to, or entry upon, real and personal property that is owned, leased, rented, or controlled by the district while under suspension or expulsion.
  8. Students may return to their regular educational setting following the end date of the suspension or expulsion, unless:
    1. The Superintendent or designee grants a petition to extend a student's expulsion consistent with the section on petition within this regulation;
    2. The student is excluded from the student's regular educational setting for the purpose of protecting victims consistent with the section on protecting victims within this regulation; or
    3. The student is otherwise precluded under law from returning to the student's regular educational setting.

Conditions and Limitations: in-school, short-term, long-term suspensions, and expulsions

  1. Other forms of discipline. 
    1. Except in cases of exceptional misconduct, before an in-school or short-term suspension is administered, the District must first attempt one or more other forms of discipline to support the student in meeting behavioral expectations. 
    2. In the case of long-term suspensions or expulsions, the District must consider other forms of discipline.
  2. Limitations
    1. A long-term suspension may only be administered:
      1. For behavioral violations under RCW 28A.600.015 (6)(a) through (d); and
      2. After the District has determined that, if the student returned to school before completing a long-term suspension:
        1. The student would pose an imminent danger to students or school personnel; or
        2. The student would pose an imminent threat of material and substantial disruption of the educational process.
    2. An expulsion may only be administered:
      1. For behavioral violations under RCW 28A.600.015 (6)(a) through (d); and
      2. After the District has determined that if the student returned to school before completing an expulsion, the student would pose an imminent danger to students or school personnel.
  3. Length of exclusion. 
    1. An in-school or short-term suspension may not be administered beyond the school year in which the behavioral violation occurred. 
    2. A long-term suspension may not exceed the length of an academic term nor be administered beyond the school year in which the behavioral violation occurred.
    3. An expulsion may not exceed the length of an academic term, unless the principal or designee petitions the District Superintendent for extension of an expulsion, and the petition is granted.
  4. Grade-level limitations.
    1. A short-term or in-school suspension may not be administered for a student in kindergarten through fourth grade for more than ten cumulative school days during any academic term; and
    2. A short-term or in-school suspension may not be administered for a student in grades five through twelve for more than fifteen cumulative school days during any single semester.
    3. Except for a violation of firearms, a long-term suspension or expulsion may not be administered for any student in kindergarten through fourth grade.
  5. In-school suspension supervision. When administering an in-school suspension, the District must ensure school personnel:
    1. Are physically in the same location as the student to provide direct supervision during the duration of the in-school suspension; and
    2. Are accessible to offer support to keep the student current with assignments and course work for all the student's regular subjects or classes.

Conditions and Limitations: Emergency expulsions
The District may immediately remove a student from their current school placement, provided: 

  1. There is sufficient cause to believe that the student's presence poses:
    1. An immediate and continuing danger to other students or school personnel; or
    2. An immediate and continuing threat of material and substantial disruption of the educational process.
      1. The student's behavior results in an extreme disruption of the educational process that creates a substantial barrier to learning for other students across the school day; and
      2. School personnel have exhausted reasonable attempts at administering other forms of discipline to support the student in meeting behavioral expectations.
  2. An emergency expulsion may not exceed ten consecutive school days. An emergency expulsion must end or be converted to another form of discipline within ten school days from the start of the emergency expulsion.
  3. When converting an emergency expulsion to a suspension or expulsion, the District must:
    1. Apply any days that the student was emergency expelled before the conversion to the total length of the suspension or expulsion; and
    2. Provide the student and parents notice and due process.
  4. All emergency expulsions, including the reason the student's presence poses an immediate and continuing danger to other students or school personnel, must be reported to the District Superintendent or designee within twenty-four hours after the start of the emergency expulsion.
  5. In instances where an emergency expulsion is imposed because there is sufficient cause to believe that the student’s presence poses an immediate and continuing danger to other students or school personnel, a school level student threat assessment team shall be convened to evaluate the nature of the threat and determine courses of actions which may assist the student in safely returning to school consistent with the District’s policy on threats.

Initial hearing with student for suspensions or expulsions.

  1. Before administering any suspension or expulsion, the principal or designee must conduct an informal initial hearing with the student to hear the student's perspective and provide the student:
    1. Notice of the student's violation of the school district's discipline policy;
    2. An explanation of the evidence regarding the violation;
    3. An explanation of the discipline that may be administered; and
    4. An opportunity for the student to share the student's perspective and provide explanation regarding the behavioral violation.
  2. Parent participation.
    1. Short-term and in-school suspensions. At an initial hearing in which the principal or designee is considering administering a short-term or in-school suspension, the principal or designee must provide the student an opportunity to contact the student's parents.
    2. Long-term suspensions and expulsions. At an initial hearing in which the principal or designee is considering administering a long-term suspension or expulsion, the principal or designee must make a reasonable attempt to contact the student's parents to provide an opportunity for the parents to participate in the initial hearing in person or by telephone. 
  3. Following the initial hearing, the principal or designee must inform the student of the decision regarding the behavioral violation, including the date on which any suspension or expulsion will begin and end.

Notice to student and parents for suspensions, expulsions, or emergency expulsions.

  1. Initial notice. 
    1. Before administering any suspension or expulsion, timely attempts should be made to notify the student's parents regarding the behavioral violation.
    2. After an emergency expulsion, the student's parents should be notified as soon as reasonably possible.
  2. Written notice. No later than one school business day following the initial hearing with the student for suspensions or expulsions, or within-twenty-four hours after an emergency expulsion, the District must provide written notice of the suspension or expulsion to the student and parents in person, by mail, or by email. The written notice must include:
    1. A description of the student's behavior and how the behavior violated the school district's policy, or, in the instance of an emergency expulsion, the behavior which gives reason as to why the student's presence poses an immediate and continuing danger to students or school personnel, or poses an immediate and continuing threat of material and substantial disruption of the educational process;
    2. The duration and conditions of the suspension, expulsion or emergency expulsion, including the dates on which the suspension or expulsion will begin and end;
    3. In the case of suspensions or expulsions and not emergency expulsions, the other forms of discipline that the school district considered or attempted, and  an explanation of the district's decision;
    4. The opportunity to receive educational services during the suspension, expulsion, or emergency expulsion;
      1.  As soon as reasonably possible, written notice should be provided describing the educational services that will be provided; and
      2. The name and contact information for the school personnel who can offer support to keep the student current with assignments and course work.
    5. The student's and parents' right to an informal conference with the principal or designee;
    6. The student's and parents' right to appeal the suspension, expulsion, or emergency expulsion, including where and to whom the appeal must be requested; and
    7. For a long-term suspension or expulsion, the opportunity for the student and parents to participate in a reengagement meeting.

Optional conference with principal.

  1. If the student or parents disagree with the District's decision to suspend, expel, or emergency expel the student, the student or parents may request an informal conference with the principal or designee to resolve the disagreement. The request for an informal conference may be made orally or in writing.
  2. The principal or designee must hold the conference within three school business days after receiving the request, unless otherwise agreed to by the student and parents.
  3. During the informal conference, the principal or designee must provide the student and parents the opportunity to:
    1. Share the student's perspective and explanation regarding the behavioral violation;
    2. Confer with the principal or designee and school personnel involved in the incident that led to the suspension or expulsion; and
    3. Discuss other forms of discipline that may be administered.
  4. An informal conference must not limit a student's or parents' right to appeal the suspension, expulsion or emergency expulsion; participate in a reengagement meeting, or petition for readmission.

Appeal.

  1. A student or the parents may appeal a suspension or expulsion to the Superintendent or designee orally or in writing.
  2. An appeal request must be received within five school business days for suspensions or expulsions and three school business days for emergency expulsions from the date the District provides the written notice to the student and parents.
  3. Short-term and in-school suspensions.
    1. The Superintendent or designee must provide the student and parents the opportunity to share the student's perspective and explanation regarding the behavioral violation orally or in writing.
    2. The Superintendent or designee must deliver a written appeal decision to the student and parents in person, by mail, or by email within two school business days after receiving the appeal. The written decision must include:
      1. The decision to affirm, reverse, or modify the suspension;
      2. The duration and conditions of the suspension, including the dates on which the suspension will begin and end;
      3. The educational services the District will offer to the student during the suspension; and
      4. Notice of the student's and parents' right to request review and reconsideration of the appeal decision, including where and to whom to make the request.
  4. Long-term suspensions, expulsions, and emergency expulsions.
    1. Within one school business day after receiving the appeal request, unless otherwise agreed to by the student and parents, the Superintendent or designee must provide the student and parents written notice in person, by mail, or by email of:
      1. The time, date, and location of the appeal hearing;
      2. The name(s) of the official(s) presiding over the appeal;
      3. The student's and parents' rights to inspect the student's education records;
      4. The student's and parents' rights to inspect any documentary or physical evidence and a list of any witnesses that will be introduced at the hearing;
      5. The student's and parents' rights; and
      6. For long-term suspensions or expulsions, whether the school district will offer to hold a reengagement meeting prior to the appeal hearing.
    2. Before the appeal hearing, the student, parents, and District may agree to hold a reengagement meeting and develop a reengagement plan. The student, parents, and District may mutually agree to postpone the appeal hearing while participating in the reengagement process.
    3. The District must hold an appeal hearing within three school business days for long-term suspensions or expulsions and two school business days for emergency expulsions from the date the Superintendent or designee received the appeal request, unless otherwise agreed to by the student or parents.
    4. The presiding official(s) may not be involved in the student's behavioral violation or decision to suspend, expel, or emergency expel the student and must be knowledgeable about the rules in this chapter and of the school district's discipline policies and procedures.
    5. Evidence and witnesses.
      1. Upon request, the student, parents, and District may inspect any documentary or physical evidence and a list of any witnesses that will be introduced at the appeal hearing. The District, student, or parents must make the information available as soon as reasonably possible, but no later than the end of the school business day before the appeal hearing.
      2. Upon request, the student and parents may review the student's education records. The District must make the records available as soon as reasonably possible, but no later than the end of the school business day before the appeal hearing.
      3. If a witness for the District cannot or does not appear at the appeal hearing, the presiding official(s) may excuse the witness's nonappearance if the district establishes that:
        1. The District made a reasonable effort to produce the witness; and
        2. The witness's failure to appear is excused by fear of reprisal or another compelling reason. The District does not have statutory powers to compel a student or other witnesses to appear and testify at a disciplinary hearing.
    6. During the appeal hearing, the student and parents have the right to:
      1. Be represented by legal counsel;
      2. Question witnesses;
      3. Share the student's perspective and provide explanation regarding the behavioral violation or regarding the events that led to the emergency expulsion; and
      4. Introduce relevant documentary, physical, or testimonial evidence.
    7. The appeal hearing must be recorded by manual, electronic, or other type of recording device. The District must provide the recording to the student or parents upon request.
    8. The hearing officer must base the decision solely on the evidence presented at the hearing. A written decision will be provided within three school business days for suspensions or expulsions and one school business day for emergency expulsions after the appeal hearing. The written decision must include:
      1. The findings of fact;
      2. A determination:
        1. In instances or suspensions or expulsions whether:
          1. The student's behavior violated the school district's discipline policy;
          2. The behavioral violation reasonably warrants the suspension or expulsion and the length of the suspension or expulsion; and
          3. The suspension or expulsion is affirmed, reversed, or modified;
        2. In instances of emergency expulsions, whether the student's presence continues to pose:
          1. An immediate and continuing danger to students or school personnel; or
          2. An immediate and continuing threat of material and substantial disruption of the educational process.
      3. The duration and conditions of the suspension or expulsion, including the dates on which the suspension or expulsion will begin and end;
        1. In instances of emergency expulsion, whether the District will end or convert the emergency expulsion to a suspension of expulsion. If the District converts the emergency expulsion to a suspension or expulsion, the District must provide the student and parents notice and due process; and
      4. Notice of the student's and parents' right to request review and reconsideration of the appeal decision, including where and to whom to make the request; and
      5. In instances of suspensions or expulsions, notice of the opportunity to participate in a reengagement meeting and the contact information for the person who will coordinate scheduling of the reengagement meeting.
  5. If the student or parents request an appeal under this section, the District may temporarily continue to administer the suspension or expulsion during the appeal period subject to the following requirements:
    1. The suspension or expulsion may continue for no more than ten consecutive school days from the initial hearing or until the appeal is decided, whichever is earlier;
    2. Any days that the student is suspended or expelled before the appeal is decided must be applied to the term of the student's suspension or expulsion and may not extend the term of the student's suspension or expulsion;
    3. If the student returns to school before the appeal is decided under this section, the school district must provide the student an opportunity to make up assignments and tests missed during the suspension or expulsion upon the student's return.

Review and reconsideration.

  1. The student or parents may request that the school board review and reconsider the District's appeal decision. The student or parents may request the review orally or in writing.
  2. A request for a review must be received within ten school business days for suspensions and expulsions, or five school business days for emergency expulsions from the date the District provides the written appeal decision to the student and parents.
  3. Review procedure.
    1. In reviewing the District's decision, the school board must consider all evidence related to the behavioral violation or events that led to the emergency expulsion, any records from the appeal, relevant state law, and the District's discipline policy.
    2. The school board may request to meet with the student or parents, the principal, witnesses, or school personnel to hear further arguments  and gather additional information.
    3. The decision of the school board must be made only by board members who were not involved in the behavioral violation, the decision to suspend, expel, or emergency expel the student, or the appeal decision. 
  4. The school board will provide a written decision to the student and parents within ten school business days for suspensions or expulsions and five school business days for emergency expulsions after receiving the request for review and reconsideration. The written decision must identify:
    1. For suspensions or expulsions:
      1. Whether the school board affirms, reverses, or modifies the suspension or expulsion;
      2. The duration and conditions of the suspension or expulsion, including the dates on which the suspension or expulsion will begin and end; and
      3. For long-term suspensions or expulsions, notice of the opportunity to participate in a reengagement meeting.
    2. For emergency expulsions:
      1. Whether the school board affirms or reverses the school district's decision that the student's presence posed:
        1. An immediate and continuing danger to students or school personnel; or
        2. An immediate and continuing threat of material and substantial disruption of the educational process.
      2. If the emergency expulsion has not yet ended or been converted, whether the District will end the emergency expulsion or convert the emergency expulsion to a suspension or expulsion. If the District converts the emergency expulsion to a suspension or expulsion, the District must provide the student and parents notice and due process.

Petition to extend expulsion.

  1. When risk to public health or safety warrants extending a student's expulsion, the principal or designee may petition the Superintendent or designee for authorization to exceed the academic term limitation on an expulsion. The petition must inform the Superintendent or designee of:
    1. The behavioral violation that resulted in the expulsion and the public health or safety concerns;
    2. The student's academic, attendance, and discipline history;
    3. Any nonacademic supports and behavioral services the student was offered or received during the expulsion;
    4. The student's academic progress during the expulsion and the educational services available to the student during the expulsion;
    5. The proposed extended length of the expulsion; and
    6. The student's reengagement plan.
  2. The principal or designee may petition to extend an expulsion only after the development of a reengagement plan and before the end of the expulsion. For firearm violations, the principal or designee may petition to extend an expulsion at any time.
  3. The District must provide written notice of the petition to the student and parents in person, by mail, or by email within one school business day from the date the Superintendent or designee received the petition. The written notice must include:
    1. A copy of the petition;
    2. The student's and parents' right to an informal conference with the District Superintendent or designee to be held within five school business days from the date the District provided written notice to the student and parents; and
    3. The student's and parents' right to respond to the petition orally or in writing to the District Superintendent or designee within five school business days from the date the district provided written notice.
  4. The District Superintendent or designee may grant the petition only if there is substantial evidence that, if the student were to return to the student's previous school of placement after the length of an academic term, the student would pose a risk to public health or safety. The District Superintendent or designee must deliver a written decision to the principal, the student, and the student's parents in person, by mail, or by email within ten school business days after receiving the petition.
    1.  If the petition is granted, the written decision must include:
      1. The date on which the extended expulsion will end;
      2. The reason that, if the student were to return before the initial expulsion end date, the student would pose a risk to public health or safety; and
      3. Notice of the student's or parents' right to request review and reconsideration of the appeal decision, including where and to whom to make the request.
    2. If the petition is not granted, the written decision must identify the date on which the expulsion will end.
  5. Review and reconsideration.
    1. The students or parents may request that the school board, review and reconsider the decision to extend the student's expulsion. The student or parents may request the review orally or in writing. 
    2. A request for a review and reconsideration must be received within ten school business days from the date the District provides the written decision to the student and parents. 
    3. Review procedure.
      1. The school board may request to meet with the student or parents or the principal to hear further arguments and gather additional information.
      2. The decision of the school board may be made only by board members who were not involved in the behavioral violation, the decision to expel the student, or the appeal decision.
    4. The school board must provide a written decision to the student and parents in person, by mail, or by email within ten school business days after receiving the request for review and reconsideration. The written decision must identify:
      1. Whether the school board affirms, reverses, or modifies the decision to extend the student's expulsion; and
      2. The date on which the extended expulsion will end.
  6. Any extension of an expulsion may not exceed the length of an academic term.
  7. The District must annually report the number of petitions approved and denied to the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Petition for readmission

  1. Any student who has been suspended may apply for readmission at any time. The application shall be submitted to the principal of the school at which the student is enrolled. The application shall include:
    1. Reasons the student wants to return and why the request should be considered
    2. Evidence that supports the request, and
    3. A supporting statement from the parent or other adults.
  2. The principal shall consider the application, consult with the superintendent or designee, and advise the parent and student of his or her decision in writing within two school business days. 

Educational services during suspension, expulsion, or emergency expulsion.

  1. Educational services.
    1. The District may not suspend the provision of educational services to  a student in response to behavioral violations.
    2. During the suspension, expulsion, or emergency expulsion of a student, the District must provide the student the opportunity to receive educational services. The educational services must enable the student to:
      1. Continue to participate in the general education curriculum;
      2. Meet the educational standards established within the district; and
      3. Complete subject, grade-level, and graduation requirements.
    3. When providing a student the opportunity to receive educational services under this section, the District must consider:
      1. Meaningful input from the student, parents, and the student's teachers;
      2. Whether the student's regular educational services include English language development services, special education, accommodations under Section 504, or supplemental services designed to support the student's academic achievement; and
      3. Access to any necessary technology, transportation, or resources the student needs to participate fully in the educational services.
    4. The District may provide educational services to the student in an alternative setting or modify the suspension or expulsion on a case-by-case basis. An alternative setting should be comparable and appropriate to the regular educational services a student would have received without the exclusionary discipline. Example alternative settings include alternative high schools, one-on-one tutoring, and online learning.
  2. Exclusions for up to five days. For students subject to suspension or emergency expulsion for up to five consecutive school days, a school district must provide at least the following:
    1. Course work, including any assigned homework, from all of the student's regular subjects or classes;
    2. Access to school personnel who can offer support to keep the student current with assignments and course work for all of the student's regular subjects or classes; and
    3. An opportunity for the student to make up any assignments and tests missed during the period of suspension or emergency expulsion.
  3. Exclusions for six to ten days. For students subject to suspension or emergency  expulsion for six to ten consecutive school days, the District must provide at least the following:
    1. Course work, including any assigned homework, from all of the student's regular subjects or classes;
    2. Access to school personnel who can offer support to keep the student current with assignments and course work for all of the student's regular subjects or classes. School personnel must make a reasonable attempt to contact the student or parents within three school business days following the start of the suspension or emergency expulsion and periodically thereafter until the suspension or emergency expulsion ends to:
      1. Coordinate the delivery and grading of course work between the student and the student's teacher(s) at a frequency that would allow the student to keep current with assignments and course work for all of the student's regular subjects or classes; and
      2. Communicate with the student, parents, and the student's teacher(s) about the student's academic progress.
    3. An opportunity for the student to make up any assignments and tests missed during the period of suspension or emergency expulsion.
  4. Long-term suspensions and expulsions. For students subject to expulsion or suspension for more than ten consecutive school days, a school district must provide educational services in accordance with WAC 392-121-107.

Student reengagement after long-term suspension or expulsion.

  1. When administering a long-term suspension or expulsion, the district must schedule and convene a reengagement meeting with the student and parents to discuss a plan to reengage the student. The reengagement meeting must occur:
    1. Within twenty calendar days of the start of the student's long-term suspension or expulsion, but no later than five calendar days before the student returns to school; or
    2. As soon as reasonably possible, if the student or parents request a prompt reengagement meeting.
  2. The District must collaborate with the student and parents to develop a culturally sensitive and culturally responsive reengagement plan tailored to the student's individual circumstances to support the student in successfully returning to school. In developing a reengagement plan, the school district must consider:
    1. The nature and circumstances of the incident that led to the student's suspension or expulsion;
    2. As appropriate, students' cultural histories and contexts, family cultural norms and values, community resources, and community and parent outreach;
    3. Shortening the length of time that the student is suspended or expelled;
    4. Providing academic and nonacademic supports that aid in the student's academic success and keep the student engaged and on track to graduate; and
    5. Supporting the student, parents, or school personnel in taking action to remedy the circumstances that resulted in the suspension or expulsion and preventing similar circumstances from recurring.
  3. The school district must document the reengagement plan and provide a copy of the plan to the student and parents.
  4. Reengagement meetings do not replace an appeal hearing or a petition for readmission.

Exceptions for the purpose of protecting victims. 
The District may preclude a student from returning to the student's regular educational setting following the end date of a suspension or expulsion in order to protect victims of certain offenses in accordance with RCW 28A.600.460, as follows:

  1. Teacher victim. A student committing an offense directed toward the teacher shall not be assigned to that teacher's classroom for the duration of the student's attendance at that school or any other school where the teacher is assigned;
  2. Student victim. A student who commits an offense directed toward another student may be removed from the classroom of the victim for the duration of the student's attendance at that school or any other school where the victim is enrolled.

Behavior agreements. 
The District may enter into behavior agreements with students and parents to reduce the length of a suspension conditioned on the participation in treatment services, agreements in lieu of suspension or expulsion, or agreements holding a suspension or expulsion in abeyance. Such agreements do not waive a student's opportunity to participate in a reengagement meeting or receive educational services. Behavior agreements must not exceed the length of an academic term. A behavior agreement does not preclude the District from administering discipline for behavioral violations that occur after the district enters into an agreement with the student and parents.

Firearm exceptions. 
Exceptions to this regulation for the possession of a firearm may be made with respect to policy JFCJ and as provided under RCW 28A.600.420.

School meals. 
Students serving in-school suspension or a classroom exclusion will be provided the opportunity to have a nutritionally adequate meal during the time period in which that meal is normally served to students during the school day. 

Language assistance. 
The District will ensure any notices, conferences, hearings or other proceedings, decisions, reengagement meetings, or agreements under this policy are provided in a language the student and parents understand, which may require language assistance for students and parents with limited-English proficiency.

Approved:
01/12/15

Revised:
06/17/19

LEGAL REFS.:
RCW 28A.600.010 - .022
WAC 392-400
WAC 392-400-200 through 392-400-420
 

CONTRACT REF.:
Lake Washington Education Association Agreement, Article 19

CROSS REFS.:
JEDA, Truancy
JFC and JFC-R, Student Conduct on School Buses
A group of students sing at an assembly