2016-2017 ALVIN ISD STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT AND DISCIPLINE MANAGEMENT ALVIN INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT ACKNOWLEDGMENT Student Code of Conduct and Student Handbook Electronic Distribution Dear Student and Parent: As required by state law, the board of trustees has officially adopted the Student Code of Conduct in order to promote a safe and orderly learning environment for every student. We urge you to read this publication thoroughly and to discuss it with your family. If you have any questions about the required conduct and consequences for misconduct, we encourage you to ask for an explanation from the student’s teacher or appropriate campus administrator. The student and parent should each sign this page in the space provided below, and then return the page to the student’s school. Thank you. Dr. Buck Gilcrease We acknowledge that we have been offered the option to receive a paper copy of the Alvin ISD Student Code of Conduct and Student Handbook for the 2016–2017 school year or to electronically access it on the district’s website at __________________. We understand that students will be held accountable for their behavior and will be subject to the disciplinary consequences outlined in the Code. We have chosen to: ¨ Receive a paper copy of the Student Code of Conduct and the Student Handbook. ¨ Accept responsibility for accessing the Student Code of Conduct and the Student Handbook on the district’s website. Print name of student: Signature of student: Print name of parent: Signature of parent: ii Date: School: Grade level: Please sign this page, remove it, and return it to the student’s school. Thank you. iii ACKNOWLEDGMENT Student Code of Conduct Hardcopy Distribution Dear Student and Parent: As required by state law, the board of trustees has officially adopted the Student Code of Conduct in order to promote a safe and orderly learning environment for every student. We urge you to read this publication thoroughly and to discuss it with your family. If you have any questions about the required conduct and consequences for misconduct, we encourage you to ask for an explanation from the student’s teacher or appropriate campus administrator. The student and parent should each sign this page in the space provided below, and then return the page to the student’s school. Thank you. Dr. Buck Gilcrease We acknowledge that we have received a copy of the Alvin ISD Student Code of Conduct for the 2015–2016 school year and understand that students will be held accountable for their behavior and will be subject to the disciplinary consequences outlined in the Code. Print name of student: Signature of student: Print name of parent: Signature of parent: Date: School: Grade level: Please sign this page, remove it, and return it to the student’s school. Thank you. iv Table of Contents STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT ........................................................................................................ 1 Purpose ...................................................................................................................................... 1 School District Authority and Jurisdiction ...................................................................................... 2 Campus Behavior Coordinator ................................................................................................... 2 Reporting Crimes ........................................................................................................................ 3 ‘Parent’ Defined ......................................................................................................................... 3 Participating in Graduation Activities ......................................................................................... 3 Standards for Student Conduct ...................................................................................................... 4 General Conduct Violations ........................................................................................................... 5 Disregard for Authority .............................................................................................................. 5 Mistreatment of Others ............................................................................................................. 5 Property Offenses ...................................................................................................................... 6 Possession of Prohibited Items .................................................................................................. 6 Possession of Telecommunications or Other Electronic Devices ............................................... 7 Illegal, Prescription, and Over-the-Counter Drugs ..................................................................... 7 Misuse of Technology Resources and the Internet .................................................................... 7 Safety Transgressions ................................................................................................................. 8 Miscellaneous Offenses ............................................................................................................. 8 Discipline Management Techniques .............................................................................................. 9 Students with Disabilities ........................................................................................................... 9 Techniques ............................................................................................................................... 10 Notification .............................................................................................................................. 11 Appeals ..................................................................................................................................... 11 Removal from the School Bus ...................................................................................................... 12 Removal from the Regular Educational Setting ........................................................................... 12 Routine Referral ....................................................................................................................... 12 Formal Removal ....................................................................................................................... 12 Returning Student to Classroom .............................................................................................. 13 Out-of-School Suspension ............................................................................................................ 13 Misconduct ............................................................................................................................... 13 Process ..................................................................................................................................... 13 v Table of Contents Disciplinary Alternative Education Program (DAEP) Placement .................................................. 14 Discretionary Placement: Misconduct That May Result in DAEP Placement ........................... 15 Misconduct Identified in State Law ...................................................................................... 15 Mandatory Placement: Misconduct That Requires DAEP Placement ...................................... 15 Sexual Assault and Campus Assignments ................................................................................. 17 Emergencies ............................................................................................................................. 17 Process ..................................................................................................................................... 17 Conference ........................................................................................................................... 17 Consideration of Mitigating Factors ..................................................................................... 17 Placement Order .................................................................................................................. 18 Coursework Notice ............................................................................................................... 18 Length of Placement ................................................................................................................ 18 Exceeds One Year ................................................................................................................. 18 Exceeds School Year ............................................................................................................. 19 Exceeds 60 Days ................................................................................................................... 19 Appeals ..................................................................................................................................... 19 Restrictions during Placement ................................................................................................. 19 Placement Review .................................................................................................................... 20 Additional Misconduct ............................................................................................................. 20 Notice of Criminal Proceedings ................................................................................................ 20 Withdrawal during Process ...................................................................................................... 21 Newly Enrolled Students .......................................................................................................... 21 Emergency Placement Procedure ............................................................................................ 21 Placement and/or Expulsion for Certain Offenses ....................................................................... 21 Registered Sex Offenders ......................................................................................................... 22 Review Committee ............................................................................................................... 23 Newly Enrolled Student ........................................................................................................ 23 Appeal .................................................................................................................................. 23 Certain Felonies ........................................................................................................................ 23 Hearing and Required Findings ............................................................................................ 24 Length of Placement ............................................................................................................ 24 Newly Enrolled Students ...................................................................................................... 24 Expulsion ...................................................................................................................................... 25 vi Table of Contents Discretionary Expulsion: Misconduct That May Result in Expulsion ........................................ 25 Any Location ......................................................................................................................... 25 At School, Within 300 Feet, or at a School Event ................................................................. 26 Within 300 Feet of School .................................................................................................... 26 Property of Another District ................................................................................................. 27 While in DAEP ....................................................................................................................... 27 Mandatory Expulsion: Misconduct That Requires Expulsion ................................................... 27 Under Federal Law ............................................................................................................... 27 Under the Texas Penal Code ................................................................................................ 28 Under Age Ten ......................................................................................................................... 29 Emergency ................................................................................................................................ 29 Process ..................................................................................................................................... 29 Hearing ................................................................................................................................. 29 Board Review of Expulsion ................................................................................................... 30 Expulsion Order .................................................................................................................... 30 Length of Expulsion .................................................................................................................. 30 Withdrawal during Process ...................................................................................................... 31 Additional Misconduct ............................................................................................................. 31 Restrictions during Expulsion ................................................................................................... 31 Newly Enrolled Students .......................................................................................................... 32 Emergency Expulsion Procedures ............................................................................................ 32 DAEP Placement of Expelled Students ..................................................................................... 32 Glossary ........................................................................................................................................ 33 vii STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT Purpose The Student Code of Conduct is Alvin ISD’s response to the requirements of Chapter 37 of the Texas Education Code. The Code provides methods and options for managing students in the classroom and on school grounds, disciplining students, and preventing and intervening in student discipline problems. The law requires Alvin ISD’s to define misconduct that may—or must—result in a range of specific disciplinary consequences including removal from a regular classroom or campus, out- of-school suspension, placement in a disciplinary alternative education program (DAEP), placement in a juvenile justice alternative education program (JJAEP), or expulsion from school. This Student Code of Conduct has been adopted by the Alvin ISD Board of Trustees and developed with the advice of the Alvin ISD-level committee. This Code provides information to parents and students regarding standards of conduct, consequences of misconduct, and procedures for administering discipline. It remains in effect during summer school and at all school-related events and activities outside of the school year until an updated version adopted by the board becomes effective for the next school year. In accordance with state law, the Code shall be posted at each school campus or shall be available for review at the office of the campus principal. Additionally, the Code shall be available at the office of the campus behavior coordinator and posted at www.alvinisd.net. Parents shall be notified of any conduct violation that may result in a student being suspended, placed in a DAEP or JJAEP, expelled, or taken into custody by a law enforcement officer under Chapter 37 of the Education Code. Because the Student Code of Conduct is adopted by the Alvin ISD’s board of trustees, it has the force of policy; therefore, in case of conflict between the Code and the student handbook, the Code shall prevail. Please Note: The discipline of students with disabilities who are eligible for services under federal law (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973) is subject to the provisions of those laws. 1 School District Authority and Jurisdiction Campus Behavior Coordinator As required by law, a person at each campus must be designated to serve as the campus behavior coordinator. The designated person may be the principal of the campus or any other campus administrator selected by the principal. The campus behavior coordinator is primarily responsible for maintaining student discipline. The district maintains a current list of the persons serving as a campus behavior coordinator in the student handbook or on the district’s website at www.alvinisd.net School rules and the authority of the district to administer discipline apply whenever the interest of the district is involved, on or off school grounds, in conjunction with or independent of classes and school-sponsored activities. The Alvin ISD has disciplinary authority over a student: 1. During the regular school day and while the student is going to and from school or a school-sponsored or school-related activity on district transportation; 2. During lunch periods in which a student is allowed to leave campus; 3. While the student is in attendance at any school-related activity, regardless of time or location; 4. For any school-related misconduct, regardless of time or location; 5. When retaliation against a school employee, board member, or volunteer occurs or is threatened, regardless of time or location; 6. When criminal mischief is committed on or off school property or at a school-related event; 7. For certain offenses committed within 300 feet of school property as measured from any point on the school’s real property boundary line; 8. For certain offenses committed while on school property or while attending a school- sponsored or school-related activity of another district in Texas; 9. When the student commits a felony, as provided by Education Code 37.006 or 37.0081; and 10. When the student is required to register as a sex offender. Administrators, teachers, and other professional personnel may question a student regarding the student’s own conduct or the conduct of other students. In the context of school discipline, students have no claim to the right not to incriminate themselves. 2 School District Authority and Jurisdiction Desk, lockers, and similar items are the property of Alvin ISD and are provided for students use as a matter of convenience. Lockers and desks are subject to blanket searches or inspections by campus administrators. Searches or inspections may be conducted at any time and without notice. Students shall be fully responsible for the security and contents of personal belongings, backpacks, desks, lockers, or vehicle. Students shall make certain that lockers are locked and that the keys or combinations are not given to others. Students shall not place or keep in a backpack, desk, or locker any article or material prohibited by law, District policy, or the Student Code of Conduct. Students shall be held responsible for any prohibited items found in their desks, lockers, backpacks, any personal belongings, or vehicles. Student property may be searched without reasonable suspicion if the student voluntarily consents to the search. If there is reasonable cause to believe that a vehicle on school property contains contraband, it may be searched by school officials or by personnel whose services have been engaged by Alvin ISD to conduct such searches. Students shall be held responsible for any prohibited items found in their vehicle, Alvin ISD may turn the matter over to local law enforcement officials. Reporting Crimes The principal or campus behavior coordinator and other school administrators as appropriate shall report crimes as required by law and shall call local law enforcement when an administrator suspects that a crime has been committed on campus. ‘Parent’ Defined Throughout the Code of Conduct and related discipline policies, the term “parent” includes a parent, legal guardian, or other person having lawful control of the child. Participating in Graduation Activities The district has the right to limit a student’s participation in graduation activities for violating the district’s Code. Participation might include a speaking role, as established by district policy and procedures. Students eligible to give the opening and closing remarks at graduation shall be notified by the campus principal. Notwithstanding any other eligibility requirements, in order to be considered as an eligible student to give the opening or closing remarks, a student shall not have engaged in any misconduct in violation of the district’s Code resulting in an out-of-school suspension, removal to a DAEP, or expulsion during the semester immediately preceding graduation. The valedictorian and salutatorian may also have speaking roles at graduation. No student shall be eligible to have such a speaking role if he or she engaged in any misconduct in violation of the district’s Code resulting in an out-of-school suspension, removal to a DAEP, or expulsion during the semester immediately preceding graduation. 3