Moving Mountains: Changing the way we discipline in Washington State Jess Lewis, Behavior and Discipline Program Supervisor

ESSB 5946: Strengthening Student Educational Outcomes 1. Establishes the Discipline Task Force Discipline Definitions Data 2. Changes due process for suspensions and expulsions 3. Gives OSPI authority to write rules

Discipline Task Force Duties Develop standard definitions for causes of student disciplinary actions taken at the discretion of the school district. Develop data collection standards for disciplinary actions Education services provided while a student is subject to a disciplinary action The status of petitions for readmission to the school district when a student has been excluded from school Credit retrieval during a period of exclusion School dropout as a result of disciplinary action 3

Members: “shall include representatives from the K-12 data governance group, the educational opportunity gap oversight and accountability committee, the state ethnic commissions, the governor's office of Indian affairs, the office of the education ombudsman, school districts, and other education and advocacy organizations.” Contact NameContact TitleOrganization/Committee Trevor GreeneProfessional Development SpecialistAssociation of Washington School Principals Mia WilliamsPrincipal, Aki Kurose MSAssociation of Washington School Principals Edward PrinceExecutive DirectorCommission on African American Affairs Matt Vaeena Za Vang Pacific Islander and Asian American Community members Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs Lillian Ortiz-SelfCommissioner ChairCommission on Hispanic American Affairs Dr. James SmithCommittee member Educational Opportunity Gap Oversight and Accountability Committee (no appointee) Governor's Office of Indian Affairs Tracy ShermanPolicy AnalystLeague of Education Voters Jennifer HarrisOmbudsman & Legal AnalystOffice of the Education Ombudsman Paul AligStaff Attorney (Pierce County)Team Child Rosemarie SearchSuperintendent Royal School DistrictWashington Association of School Administrators Greg WilliamsonDirector of Student SupportOffice of Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Alan BurkeDeputy SuperintendentOffice of Superintendent of Public Instruction Myra JohnsonWEA Board Member Washington Education Association Edri GeigerVancouver School DirectorWashington State School Directors' Association 4

What will happen with revised data? The office of the superintendent of public instruction and the K-12 data governance group shall revise the statewide student data system to incorporate the student discipline data collection standards recommended by the discipline task force, and begin collecting data based on the revised standards in the school year. 5

Due Process Changes No suspensions or expulsions may be for an indefinite period of time All emergency expulsions must be converted to another form of discipline within 10 school days of that emergency expulsion Suspensions and expulsions that last more than 10 days must have an end date no later than 1 calendar year from the time of the suspension or expulsion Notice and due process rights are provided when the emergency expulsion is converted to another form of corrective action

Reengagement Meetings Schools should make efforts to have suspended or expelled students return to an educational setting as soon as possible Schools should convene a meeting with the student and their parent and/or guardians within 20 days of the student’s long-term suspension or expulsion, but no later than 5 days before the students return/enrollment

Reengagement Plans School districts MUST: Create a reengagement plan that is tailored to the student’s individual circumstances, including the incident that led to their long term suspension or expulsion The plan should aid the student in taking the necessary steps to remedy the situation that led to the student’s suspension or expulsion School districts should consider: Shortening the length of time that the student is suspended or expelled Other forms of corrective action Supportive interventions that aid in the student’s academic success and keep the student engaged and on track to graduate