SCHOOL DISCIPLINE HEARINGS

Buzz Williams Assistant Supervisor in Student ServicesHarford County Public Schoolsbuzz.williams@hcps.org410-588-5336

MAPP Conference 19 November 2010

Purpose

To provide an overview of school disciplinary hearing procedures.

Maryland has 24 school systems

…and 24 unique procedures for conducting school discipline hearings.

Our titles across Maryland:

Superintendent’s Designee Hearing Officer Director of Student Services Assistant Supervisor in Student

Services Pupil Personnel Worker Special Assistant for Safe and

Orderly Schools Administrative Director of Secondary

Ed. Coordinator of Student Services

Appeals Unit

Continuum of Approaches

Counseling

Courtroom

Common Components

Case Preparation Introduction Hearing Discussion Disposition Closure Documentation

Case Preparation

Demographic information Administrative incident report

Due Process Discipline history Attendance history Academic history Possible consequences

Due Process (14th Amendment) Constitutional guarantee of

fairness.  Student informed of violations Opportunity to tell student’s story

Before suspension Investigation that factors student’s story

A decision supported by evidence Witnesses, statements, video, photos

Laws, policies, and procedures followed

Possible Consequences

Reduce suspension and return to home school Return to home school after 10 suspension days Extend suspension (5, 10, 15); return to home

school Short-term expulsion from home school

(1Q, 2Q, 3Q, 4Q); place at Alt Ed; review optional

Short-term expulsion; no ed services Long-term expulsion from home school; place

Alt Ed through graduation Permanent expulsion; no ed services

Consequence Criteria

Age—older = more accountableViolation type—dangerous?Remorse—sorry for violation?Resolve—committed to follow rules?Discipline history—patterns?Attendance—satisfactory?Grades—making effort to learn?Credits—on track to graduate?Intervention—contract for reduced suspension?School System Policy—non-negotiable?

Greeting and Introduction

Greet student, family, and advocates Assign seating Demonstrate mutual respect Explain Procedures

Audio recording Check that all are ready to begin

Hearing

Official introduction Minutes or audio recording Hearing officer, school system, date,

purpose, student name, violation (s), participants, audio recording notification

Student response to violation (s) Presentation of administrator’s

evidence Presentation of student evidence Decision about violation (s)

Discussion

Discipline history Attendance Grades Credits

On track to graduate? Remorse Resolve Interventions

Letters of apology, mediation, mentoring, counseling, physician referral, disability assessment, contract

Closure

Summarize hearing decision Summarize consequence and

placement Review reentry/enrollment date and

conditions Ask each participant for closing

comments End audio recording or minutes

Documentation

Complete administrative report hearing, decision, discussion,

consequence, placement, rationale, and reentry conditions

Send letter to parent hearing decision, consequence, and

placement Reentry Contract

Conditions for reentry to school

Elementary Age Students

Frequently reduced to less than 10 days

Include familiar staff from school Allow administrator to suggest tone Developmentally appropriate

communication Empower parents to help

communicate Include administrator in reentry

conditions

Special Ed

10 removal days & FAPE Manifestation mtg summaries

required “Yes-manifestation” = no conference;

end susp. Manifestation mtg summary cites

IAES Home School Alternative Ed Other

Reportable Offenses

Cite COMAR Reg 7-303 Case review, not suspension 7-303 = not subject to the appeal

rules of suspension under 7-305 Administrative placement can be

made based on charge prior to legal hearing Charge linked to school with potential for

danger or disruption Documentation not part of student

record

Suspension Reductions

Substance Abuse Counseling Tobacco Education Classes Fire Marshall Classes Sexting Education Counseling Bus Safety Counseling Sensitivity Counseling Peaceful Conflict Resolution

Counseling Anger Management Counseling

Maryland Association of School Discipline Hearing Officers

MASDHO PPWs are encouraged to join

http://hcps.org/masdho

CONCLUSIONQuestion & Answer