6420.1 R&P

Disruption of School

6420.1 R&P

 6420.1           

 Procedural Steps

1.

On substantiating the offense, the principal will determine the appropriate level of threat: 

Level One (Mild): May result in a short-term suspension, school-based behavior intervention counseling and/or conference with the parent/student/counselor and administrator.

Level Two (Moderate): Short-term with recommendation for long-term suspension and referral to the school TMAC assessment team.

Level Three (Severe): Short-term with recommendation for long-term suspension/365-day suspension/ or expulsion the parents and the student are encouraged to participate in a community intervention program that includes threat and anger management counseling.

2.

When the principal substantiates the offense as a Level Two, the student shall be suspended for ten (10) days (five (5) days for students on a 4 by 4 schedule) with a recommendation for long-term suspension and referred to the TMAC team for assessment and intervention recommendations. The team will notify the principal of the recommendations by the third (3^rd) day of the suspension.

3.

When the TMAC Program alternative is offered, the principal shall advise the student and parent/guardian of the offer by the fourth (4^th) day of the ten (10) day suspension (five (5) days for students on a 4 by 4 schedule).  The Participation Agreement Form, indicating a signed, binding contract, and proof of an intake assessment with an approved TMAC Program must be submitted to the principal by the tenth (10^th) day of the suspension (5^th day of the suspension for students on a 4 by 4 schedule).  If the alternative program option is not accepted by the student and/or parent/guardian, this decision shall be documented by the principal and the recommendation for long-term suspension will remain active.

4.

At the point that the principal receives verification the student and parent/guardian have contracted with an approved TMAC Program, the long-term suspension action shall be deactivated.

5. 

A copy of the TMAC Program contract shall be sent to the student due process officer and a copy retained at the school.

6.

If the student or parent/guardian should decide against the contracted program, fail to enter the program, or fail to meet all requirements of the program (including attendance, and participation, the school and the office of Student Due Process shall be notified of this failure by the contracted program’s manager within five (5) school days, and the principal shall immediately reactivate the long-term suspension.

7.

Students who do not successfully complete the TMAC Program approved by the student due process officer or by the principal (in accordance with 6420.1B) shall have their long-term suspension immediately reactivated.

a.

Students whose 18-week interval permitted for the TMAC Program completion extends beyond the end of an academic year must meet these obligations prior to the beginning of the next school year.  Failure to do so shall result in the long-term suspension being reactivated for that next school year.

b.

Students who fail to satisfy the requirements of an approved program within 18 weeks shall:

(middle school students) be ineligible for promotion or placement to the next grade until the requirements of the approved TMAC Program are satisfied.

(high school students) have that year’s/semester’s credits toward graduation withheld and shall be ineligible for graduation until the requirements of the approved TMAC Program are satisfied.

8.

A copy of these procedures shall be given to the parent and student at the time the alternative offer is made by the principal.

9.

Failure of the approved TMAC Program provider to satisfy the criteria or the monitoring and notification requirements of this policy shall make that provider ineligible for continuing approval as a TMAC Program provider for a period of not less than two (2) years.

6420.1B

Criteria for granting approval to a TMAC Community Intervention Program to serve in conjunction with a 10-day suspension (5-day suspension for students on a 4 by 4 schedule) as an alternative to long-term suspension.

1.

TMAC Program Requirements

The individual who provides direct services to the student and parent/guardian must meet four (4) requirements. 

a.

Be fully licensed as a mental health professional (i.e. counselor, psychologist, psychiatrist, social worker, school psychologist) by the state of North Carolina 

or 

Be working toward licensure and providing services under the supervision of an individual who is fully licensed as a mental health professional.

b.

Have two (2) years experience in the human services field.

c.

Have a minimum of one (1) year experience with behavioral intervention in the area of anger management control.

d.

Possess a four-year college degree in a human services field.

2.

Required TMAC Program Components

a.

A comprehensive individual and family intake assessment to be completed during the ten (10) day suspension (5-days for students on a 4 by 4 schedule) and prior to treatment

b.

A minimum of five (5) group sessions for the student with parent/guardian/responsible adult participating in at least four of the group sessions

Note: In a case of hardship when a parent/guardian is unable or unwilling to accompany the student, the parent may identify a responsible adult 21 years old or older who may substitute for the parent/guardian.  The name and signature of the substitute shall be included in the contract and the substitute must fulfill the contractual obligations of the parent/guardian.

c.

Program to be completed within 18 weeks of the principal’s offer to the parent of the alternative under policy 6420.1

d.

Active parent involvement in Project Forward curriculum or equivalent parent education curriculum

e.

Education in the areas of:

1.

social skills, such as communication, cooperation, anger management, and impulse control

2.

coping strategies for dealing with social conflict, such as teasing and bullying

3.

positive character traits, such as respect, responsibility and motivation

4.

building empathy and the ability to see the viewpoint of others

5.

improving social problem-solving skills and decreasing conflict

6.

developing positive social relationships and decrease relations with antisocial peers

7.

enhancing self-esteem and promoting positive interests

8.

developing transfer and generalization techniques

9.

building an improved family-school collaboration

f.

Adherence to R&P 6700.2, student returning from treatment

3.

TMAC Program Monitoring/Reporting Requirements

The parent/guardian/student and the TMAC Provider are responsible to the school system for maintaining appropriate records and for providing timely notification as follows:

a.

The Participation Agreement Form, signed by the parent/guardian, the student, and the TMAC Program provider, stipulating the provisions in R&P 6420.1, must be submitted to the school’s principal by the tenth (10^th) day of the suspension (5^th day for students on a 4 by 4 schedule) for violation of board policy 6420.1.

b.

Written notification to the referring school of initiation of the TMAC Program is the responsibility of the student and his/her parent/guardian.

c.

The TMAC Program’s manager/provider must give written notification to the school and the office of Student Due Process within five (5) school days of any failure on the part of the parent/guardian or student to comply with the requirements of the contracted course of treatment or completion of TMAC program.

Issued:  July 2002

Revised: May 2003

Revised: July 12, 2004

Revised: February 2008 (effective July 1, 2008)