Zero tolerance policies were designed to create safety by implementing automatic exclusion (e.g., suspensions, expulsions) for misbehavior in response to rising school violence in the United States. However, evidence over the past four decades shows that these policies fail to increase objective and subjective safety, and instead foster poor…

The West Virginia Board of Education (WVBE), recognizing the need for safe and supportive schools, revised its policy regarding student conduct. The result, "Expected Behaviors in Safe and Supportive Schools" (WVBE Policy 4373, effective July 1, 2012), put forth the behaviors expected of West Virginia's students; the rights and…

The first responsibility of education leaders must be to ensure that schools foster learning in a safe and healthy environment for all of our children, teachers, and staff. To support schools in fulfilling that responsibility, the U.S. Department of Education has developed this document that describes 15 principles for States, school districts,…

The Dear Colleague Letter (DCL) does the following: (1) Clarifies the relationship between bullying and discriminatory harassment under the civil rights laws enforced by the Department of Education's (ED) Office for Civil Rights (OCR); (2) Explains how student misconduct that falls under an anti-bullying policy also may trigger responsibilities…

In recent years, many state departments of education and local school districts have taken steps to reduce bullying in schools. The U.S. Department of Education (Department) fully supports these efforts. Bullying fosters a climate of fear and disrespect that can seriously impair the physical and psychological health of its victims and create…

This article uses the Supreme Court decision in Goss vs Lopez as a starting point and frame reference for describing and assessing the discipline procedure in one public high school. (DS)

Surveyed 65 St. Louis County secondary schools to examine their response to substance abuse in terms of policies, practices, or procedures. Results suggested that many school officials are more punitive than their juvenile court counterparts. Exclusionary discipline policies are the predominant sanction, invoked against students who violate…

This booklet, based on the court ordered Uniform Code of Student Conduct, published by the Detroit Public Schools, is designed to make elementary school students in Detroit, Michigan aware of their rights and responsibilities in school. In simple language, the booklet delineates laws and rules the students must abide by, discusses disciplinary…

Discusses how Columbia University is rethinking its judicial code after being embarrassed over criticism led by the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE), a civil liberties group with a flair for public relations. (EV)

The hidden curriculum in schools is frequently reflected in clothing worn by students. Schools grapple with the implications of dress codes as they relate to the appropriateness of the items students wear and, in this study in particular, to the messages placed upon tee shirts. Legal precedent indicates that schools have the right to eliminate…

Discusses the legal issues involved in controlling student behavior. Indicates that school officials must establish compelling reasons for controls and establish fair procedures for implementing their actions. (JOW)

Examines the procedural due process challenge to short-term suspensions. (Author)