Page 29 - Atlanta Public Schools Student Handbook

during the confiscation period. APS assumes no liability for the theft, loss or damage of items possessed by students on school property or held by school officials during the confiscation period. APS employees will not be responsible for searching for lost or stolen student property.
Progressive Discipline:
The school discipline process should include appropriate consideration of support processes to help students resolve issues that may be contributing to violations to the Student Code of Conduct. These resources may include, but are not limited to, Student Support Team, positive behavioral supports, restorative practices, counseling with school counselor, school social worker intervention, behavior, attendance and academic contracts and plans, peer mediation, and prevention programs.
The offenses have been organized into three levels of prohibited behaviors: LEVEL 1 discipline (minor) offenses, LEVEL 2 discipline (moderate) offenses, and LEVEL 3 discipline (serious) offenses. Behaviors that implicate Title IX regulations (as implemented) will be managed as discussed in www.atlantapublicschools.us/titleix.
LEVEL 1 offenses are generally MINOR acts of misconduct and may represent a failure to demonstrate universally defined expectations or social skills. Following appropriate teacher intervention, students may be referred to an administrator.
Discipline Hearings:
Any student who is suspended 10 days pending a student disciplinary hearing will be provided with classwork and assignments that they can complete and return for a grade. The time period for completion of assignments should be coordinated with the teacher.
Student Discipline Hearings:
Informal Review: Where a disciplinary hearing is required by law or when a Principal recommends a long-term out of school suspension/ expulsion (more than 10 school days of out of school suspension) and a disciplinary hearing is scheduled, a parent conference will be offered within three (3) school days of the first day of suspension. Legal counsel for student and/or parent is not allowed. The principal/designee should be prepared to offer and discuss the investigation completed by the school, the discipline procedures afforded and any witness/student statements; as well as the current status of the student’s conduct and academic status. Please Note: a parent conference is not required before a discipline matter proceeds to a disciplinary hearing and failure of school administration to offer such conference shall not disqualify the hearing in any manner or the results of any hearing.
Composition: Disciplinary hearings will be heard by a disciplinary hearing officer, panel, or a tribunal of school officials.
Timing and Continuances: The hearing should be held within ten (10) school days after the first day of suspension unless Student Discipline and the parent/guardian mutually agree to an extension. Any request for a continuance must be made in writing to the Director of Student Discipline or designee.
Written Notice of Hearing: When a disciplinary hearing is required, Student Discipline shall provide written notice of the relevant procedures to the student’s parent/guardian/student age 18 or older. Delivery of Notification: The notice of hearing shall be delivered to the student and his/her parent/guardian either in person or by mail to the last known address of the parent or guardian.
Group Hearing: When students are charged with violating the same rule(s) and have acted in concert, and the facts are similar for all students, a group hearing may be conducted for them if the Director of Student Discipline believes that no student will have his/her interests substantially prejudiced by a group hearing. Any student who objects to participation in a group hearing should notify Student Discipline in writing no less than 48 hours before the hearing.
Record of Proceedings: A verbatim record of the hearing shall be made and shall be available to all parties upon request.
Hearing Attendees: Student disciplinary hearings are confidential and are not open to the public.
Burden of Proof: The burden of proof is a preponderance of the evidence (more likely than not) and shall be on the school.
LEVEL 3 DISCIPLINE
MINIMUM
MAXIMUM
School-based interventions/support and the following:
Elementary
Four days of Out-of School Suspension
Ten days of
Out-of School Suspension and referral to a student discipline hearing where the student may face long-term suspension or expulsion.
Middle/High
Four days of Out-of School Suspension
Ten days of
Out-of School Suspension and referral to a student discipline hearing where the student may face long-term suspension or expulsion.
LEVEL 1 DISCIPLINE
MINIMUM
MAXIMUM
School-based interventions/support and the following:
Elementary
One day detention
Three days detention
Middle/High
Up to three days detention
Up to 3 days of In-School Supervision
LEVEL 2 discipline is used for MODERATE acts of misconduct. These include acts directed against people or property that do not seriously endanger the health or safety of others and serious disruptions of school order. Unique, serious, or multiple offenses may result in the offense being considered a Level 3 offense.
LEVEL 2 DISCIPLINE
MINIMUM
MAXIMUM
School-based interventions/support and the following:
Elementary
Up to five days of In-School Suspension
Up to three days of Out-of School Suspension
Middle/High
Four or five days of In-School Suspension
Up to three days of Out-of School Suspension
LEVEL 3 is used for SERIOUS acts of misconduct that place students or
staff at risk of emotional or physical harm, which may include threats to the health, safety, and/or property of others, and other acts of serious and repeated misconduct. Consequences may include out-of-school suspension and a disciplinary hearing referral or Title IX Grievance Process (as applicable) with a recommendation for further actions such as long-term suspension, expulsion, and/or assignment to an alternative education program. Behaviors that implicate Title IX regulations (as implemented) will be managed as discussed in www.atlantapublicschools.us/titleix..
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