DISCIPLINE LAWS AMANDA CANTAFIO

LAWS AND THEIR IMPACT IN A SCHOOL SETTING

CODE OF CONDUCT School boards are required to adopt a code of classroom conduct, s (1) (a), Wis. Stats. The code of conduct is to be developed in consultation with a committee of school district residents that consists of parents, pupils, members of the school board, school administrators, teachers, pupil service professionals, and other residents of the district appointed by the school district. code of conduct may provide different standards of conduct for different schools and must include:  A specification of what constitutes dangerous, disruptive and unruly behavior or behavior that interferes with the ability of the teacher to teach effectively.  Any additional grounds for removal of a pupil from class.  The procedure for determining the appropriate educational placement of a pupil who has been removed from class.  A procedure for notifying the parent and guardian that their child has been removed from class. The code of conduct would affect an instructional assistant because this is the rules they would need to follow and enforce while they are working at the school.

EXPULSION BY STATE LAW  State law requires expulsion for only one type of violation, whenever a student possesses a firearm at school or while under the supervision of a school authority, s (1) (c) 2m, Wis. Stats.  Under the U.S. Code definition of “firearm,” handguns, rifles, and shotguns are included, but other types of “weapons,” including knives, and BB guns are not included, and, therefore, do not require school boards to expel students that are in possession of them. While local policy may dictate that students with other such “weapons” be subject to expulsion, the law does not require it.  Expulsion laws will affect an instructional assistant while they are working in the school. They need to know what calls for expulsion and how to handle situations with students that may call for expulsion.

ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS  The superintendent of the local board of education along with the staff of each school shall develop an assistance program at each school for at-risk students performing below the standards set by the State Board of Education. The standards shall include the results of the required assessment program adopted by the State Board of Education with emphasis on students who are found to be at one or more grade levels below the prescribed norm. The local board of education shall budget at least one hundred dollars ($100) per student so identified to be expended on tutorial assistance programs including, but not limited to, after-school, Saturday school, or summer school, or any combination of these programs.  Programs to encourage at-risk five-year olds to attend an approved preschool program.  Programs to identify at-risk students in the first grade.  Programs to ensure strict enforcement of truancy laws.  Programs to create alternative or disciplinary schools in which children who consistently exhibit behaviors or patterns of behaviors that interfere with the learning environment of other students would be placed and would be provided counseling and instruction in basic skills.  Programs to encourage parental involvement of parents of at-risk children.  Programs to encourage literacy of parents of at-risk children.  Assistance program laws are important for the instructional assistant to know incase they are working with children that would qualify for these programs.

SCHOOL ATTENDANCE POLICY  The school board may establish policies which provide that as a consequence of a pupil's truancy the pupil may be assigned to detention or to a supervised, directed study program. The program need not be held during the regular school day. The policies under this paragraph shall specify the conditions under which credit may be given for work completed during the period of detention or assignment to a supervised, directed study program. A pupil shall be permitted to take any examinations missed during a period of assignment to a supervised, directed study program.  Instructional assistants need to know the attendance policy for the school district they are working for. They need to be able to discuss with parents if their child is having attendance issues and coming close to breaking the attendance policy.

IMPLICATIONS OF THE LAWS ON INSTRUCTIONAL ASSISTANTS  Instructional assistants must know all laws and procedures of the school they are employed at and the state laws the school and staff must abide by. Instructional assistants must know how to handle situations with the students when they arise. It is very important to use disciplinary measures when a student misbehaves, knowing what is in the students rights and the schools rights are extremely important.

SOURCES CITED:  Student Services / Prevention and Wellness." Safe Schools. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Sept  School Discipline Laws and Regulations Compendium." Safe Supporting Learning. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Sept  School Law." National School Boards Association. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Sept