Foundations for the Future v Bridges to SuccessDiscipline Process Changes

FAIRFAX COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

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Bridge to Success

v Input from school board, principals, community members considered

v Comprehensive plan will include both immediate changes to address concerns and reflective practice to create the foundation for ongoing review and refinement of our work with students

Prevention and Intervention

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CONTINUUM OF POSITIVE BEHAVIORAL INTERVENTIONS AND SUPPORTS

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v Communication

v Instructional Support

v Hearings Office

v Data Collection and Monitoring

Communication

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Student Responsibilities and Rights

v Simplified, age appropriate “Quick Guides” to the SR&R with a disciplinary consequences matrix will be available for parent conversations with students

v Short, engaging video presentations will be used to highlight key components of the SR&R, including student actors describing likely consequences of violations

v Staff training regarding the requirements of the manifestation determination review (MDR) process when considering a student with a disability

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Student Responsibilities and Rights -continued

v The Hearings Office will provide new guidelines for principals regarding disciplinary response to possession of prescription drugs

v The Hearings Office and the Department of Special Services will present workshops for school board members, principals, and selected staff members to enhance understanding of disciplinary procedures and available supports

Instructional Support

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Intervention Education Program

At principal discretion, students involved in first time substance violations may be permitted to attend the Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) Seminar for five days while on suspension

vSeminar includes activities addressing:• consequences of drug use• recognition of progression from experimental or occasional use to

addiction• practice of multiple problem solving strategies• response to peer pressure• cooperative skills

vAcademic support and time to work on assignments occurs during the program

vParent and/or guardian education session provided in evening

vOngoing support from Alcohol and Drug Youth Services (ADYS) school resource specialist at base or assigned school

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Emotional Support

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Academic Support

Hearings Office

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Hearings Office

The Hearings Office will provide:

v Audio recordings of hearings

v Expedited parent and/or guardian notification following the hearing

v Parent and/or guardian exit survey

v Data and analysis

Data Collection and Monitoring

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Data Collection and Monitoring

Foundations for Future

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Foundations for Future

Restorative Justice Practices (RJ)

vCurrently in use as a pilot at Fairfax High School, Westfield High School, South County Secondary School, and Lake Braddock Secondary School to address behaviors that could result in suspension.

vRJ process

• Group or individual pre-conferencing to identify impact of the behavior on others in the community

• Student acknowledges actions and impact

• Student and person harmed (or administrator acting as surrogate) participate in conference facilitated by RJ mediator, where student accepts responsibility and commits to repair harm and restore relationships

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Foundations for Future

Restorative Justice Practices (RJ)-continued

vPlan to provide training on RJ practices to administrators at all middle and high schools

vIdentification of possible behaviors that would be appropriate to address with RJ practices

• Non-violent, first time offenses such as stealing, graffiti, property damage

vStudy possible implementation of use of RJ as diversion alternative to other disciplinary responses

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Budget ImplicationsProgram What the cost covers Cost

Alcohol/Drug Seminar 0.5 teacher $35,209

Academic Support 1 Program Manager US 26Supervises services for all students out of school

$106,219

1 Educational Specialist US 25Assigns and monitors student suspension cases

$105,695

20 extended-day contracts for existing teachers to serve as case managers for students in discipline process. Daily calls and opportunity for students to receive face-to-face support

$210,000

Total New OperatingFunds

$457,123

Restorative Justice Contracted hourly professional for development and training

$80,000+DSS repurposed

funds

Building successful outcomes

student by studentFairfax County Public Schools

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