The overarching goal of schools is to create a safe, supportive environment where students can thrive and learn. This begins with a dedication to students' social and emotional well-being, and effective policies and programs that create a culture of trust. Such a culture provides an optimal learning environment, and is also a proactive step…

Since the reauthorization of the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA; 1997) through the current reauthorization (IDEA 2004), disciplinary procedures and functional behavioral assessment (FBA) have been widely used in school districts to assist in the prevention and amelioration of problem behaviors. Although researchers have…

The present study examined how public school administrators negotiate discipline policies that are intended to protect the common good and the educational rights of students with disabilities. We investigated the political nature of these decisions and the strategies used in reaching them through interviews with administrators in 9 public high…

This guide from the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services in the U.S. Department of Education is designed to assist school administrators in understanding the challenges faced in creating safe, effective learning environments, whole school practices that have dramatically increased effective learning environments, and under what…

This document is intended to provide guidance to schools in the discipline of students with disabilities in compliance with regulations under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Chapters address the following topics (sample sub-topics in parentheses): (1) basics of discipline under Section 504 (common mistakes districts make when…

This book offers educators guidelines for appropriately dealing with aggression in the schools and ways to increase school safety for all students. The 13 chapters address the following topics: (1) evaluating a school for safety, which includes a checklist to use in reviewing policies, facilities, students, and staff; (2) principles of peaceful…