News Release
Homer CCSD 33C
Goodings Grove Luther J. Schilling William E. Young William J. Butler
Hadley Middle Homer Jr. High
Contact: Charla Brautigam, Communications/Public Relations Manager
cbrautigam@homerschools.org | 708-226-7628
For Immediate Release:
Nov. 20, 2015
Changes on horizon regarding student discipline
School districts across the state are revamping their student discipline policies and procedures to reflect changes in the law.
Gone are progressive discipline policies as well as zero-tolerance policies — except for cases of weapon and drug violations.
“These are pretty significant changes,” said Kathleen Robinson, Assistant Superintendent for Instruction in Homer School District 33C.
The changes are the result of Senate Bill 100, a legislative decision calling for school districts across the state to diminish the amount of time students are out of school.
Their rationale? Research shows suspensions and expulsions have an impact on how students perform later in life.
To comply with the law, Homer 33C must:
- Form a Parent-Teacher Advisory Committee (PTAC) to develop policy guidelines regarding student discipline.
- Provide ongoing professional development to teachers, administrators, school board members, school resource officers and staff regarding school exclusion, justice-system involvement, effective classroom management, culturally responsive discipline, and developmentally appropriate discipline.
- Limit the number and duration of suspensions and expulsions to the greatest extent practicable.
- Do away with zero-tolerance policies requiring suspension or expulsion for misbehavior — except for those that are required by federal or state law (such as bringing weapons or drugs to school).
- Look at each infraction independently of one another and refrain from using progressive discipline.
- Empower students to problem-solve.
“Our focus needs to be on modeling proper behavior and empowering students to solve problems,” said Robinson.
Senate Bill 100 takes effect September 15, 2016.
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