The document discusses alternatives to reducing suspensions and expulsions. It addresses questions about who is typically suspended, why students are suspended, differences among subgroups, and what disciplinary approaches are being used successfully in some school districts. Specifically, it notes that the top reasons for suspensions are defiance, disruptive behavior, and verbal aggression. It also discusses positive behavior interventions and supports (PBIS), restorative justice practices, increasing parent involvement, and using digital learning and differentiated instruction to improve student engagement and reduce infractions.

1. Indiana Black Expo
Education Conference
MY NOTES ~ REGARDING ALTERNATIVES TO REDUCE SUSPENSIONS AND EXPULSIONS
PLENARY SESSION, JULY 16, 2015

2. Questions to Address
 1) Who is suspended/expelled?
 2) Do suspensions rates vary by grade, race/ethnicity, gender?
 3) Are their differences among these subgroups within different district categories
 4) Why are students being suspended/expelled? What types of incidents are resulting in
suspensions/expulsions?
 6) What does the data say regarding the rate of suspensions?
 7) What is working in your School Districts?
 11) How do you Promote Equity in Student Engagement and Success?
 Definitions --- (Maybe have them explain) -- Example: •Removal “means an exclusion from a classroom
for all or part of a single class period, provided such exclusion shall not extend beyond ninety minutes.”
•In-school suspension “means an exclusion from regular classroom activity for no more than ten
consecutive school days, but not exclusion from school…” •Out-of-School suspension “means an
exclusion from school privileges or from transportation services only for no more than ten consecutive
school days…” •Expulsion “means an exclusion from school privileges for more than ten consecutive
school days

3. Why Students are Suspended at MCS
 Top Reasons for Suspensions HS MS
 Defiance/Insubordination 45% 30%
 Disruptive Behavior 2.7% 19.5%
 Verbal Aggression/ Profanity 9.4% 7.7%
 Tardies 23% N/A
 Fighting 3.5% 7.8%
 Drugs 0% 0.1%
 Weapons 0% 0%
 Totals 1168 1024

4. Who is suspended & expelled
0.00
5.00
10.00
15.00
20.00
25.00
30.00
35.00
40.00
Black Males White Males Other Males Black Females White Females Other Females
2014-2015 HS Referral Data
% of Referrals % of Population

5. How long do suspensions and
expulsions last?
 Most suspensions last one day or less
 Some last up to ten days
 Expulsions are generally two steps
 Expelled and held in abeyance based upon good performance at Alternative
School
 Expelled for a semester
 My previous experience two calendar year suspensions for weapons or selling
drugs

6. What is working in your School
Districts?
 Digital learning: Not just tablets but a more rich digital curriculum that allows
for differentiation and significant student choice on assignments
 From NBMS report to the Board 3/2014:
 We were hoping to see an increase in student motivation and engagement. As
measured by discipline referrals, detentions and suspensions, we have been
extremely successful. Last year’s seventh graders saw 138 infractions to this point in
the year. This year the seventh graders have had 28 infractions. In comparison, this
year’s 8th graders have had 117 infractions. That is a reduction of nearly 80%.
 Absence rates were also reduced with student absences down 46%.
 Homework completion rates increased significantly. 59% to 76%
 Work to ensure grades are based upon academic achievement and NOT tied
to attendance and/or behavior

7. By Student from SMS

8. What is working in your School
Districts? (cont.)
 PBIS – Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports
 Tries to teach and reinforce positive behaviors instead
of only punishing negative behavior
 Similar in concept to Response to Intervention (RtI)
 San Jose Unified School District - overview
 http://www.sjusd.org/student-services/pbis/what-is-pbis/
 PBIS Site & Equity Information
 https://www.pbis.org/
 https://www.pbis.org/school/equity-pbis
 MCS is currently implementing PBIS in multiple schools
 Carl Boyd’s concept:
 “Nobody rises to low expectations”

9. Restorative Discipline
 Another approach, similar to
PBIS is that of Restorative
Discipline or Restorative
Justice
 “4 Ps Approach:
 Person
 Place
 Practice
 Plan

10. Involving Parents ~ some examples
 We required a parent to attend every reentry conference after a
suspension
 We gave students incentives to have their parents attend open houses,
conferences, etc.
 Had monthly open parent meetings for them to address issues/concerns
with administrators
 Encouraged parents to utilize online grade books, etc.
 Contacted parents to set up “team conferences” with most at risk
students at MS and HS levels
 Required parent contact prior to giving a D or F grade