Discipline Review Committee: Final Report Dewitt Walker -- Chairperson Dr. Samuel Taylor -- Facilitator August 2004

2 Committee Charge Unitary Status Agreement Committee appointed in fall 2003 to... Review policies and practices for fairness and equity Analyze data by race, socioeconomic status, school, school level and other appropriate categories Include district data on in- and out-of-school suspensions, duplicated and unduplicated counts Present recommendations to Board within 90 days of end of school year Fulton County to... Make report available on web site and in school offices Modify policies and practices as it deems appropriate

3 National Research Findings: Suspensions Rising suspension rates 1990 – almost 2 million students (4.8%) suspended 1998 – 3 million+ students (6.8%) suspended Black students 2-3 times more likely to be suspended than white students Black students more likely to be referred to office for minor offenses Hispanic student suspension rates vary from proportionate to three times their proportion

4 National Research Findings: What Works Respond to inequities Communicate the belief that all students can succeed and ensure that each student has the chance to do so Foster social skills and self-control strategies Increase the diversity of the teaching staff and administration Train staff in cross-cultural communications and teaching strategies Implement effective and positive discipline practices Ensure the safety and dignity of all students and staff Create an environment conducive to learning Change the environment to improve student behavior Implement proactive behavioral strategies Early intervention and violence prevention In-school suspension focused on the curriculum Adult mentors and teacher support teams

5 National Research Findings: What Doesnt Work Vague or unenforceable rules Unfair or inconsistent (real or perceived) rule enforcement Focus on punishment without related support Out-of-school suspensions and expulsions for anything other than the most serious infractions Ignored misconduct Poor understanding and cooperation between teachers and administrators

6 Data Summary: National

7 Data Summary: Georgia

8 Data Summary: Fulton County

9 Data Summary: Fulton County Middle and High School Discipline Percentages by Race/Ethnicity

10 Data Summary: Fulton County Middle & High School Discipline Percentages by Race/Ethnicity, and

11 Data Summary: Fulton County Middle and High School Enrollment & Discipline Numbers & Percents by Race/Ethnicity, Numbers Percentages

12 Data Summary: Fulton County Discipline Incidents by Grade Level,

13 Data Summary: Fulton County Enrollment & Discipline % by North/South, Hispanic WhiteBlack

14 Committee Findings: Fulton County Facts Disproportionate number of black students suspended & expelled, especially north Higher levels of reported conduct problems in 3 rd, 6 th and 9 th grades Higher levels of reported conduct problems in south county schools More students in need of alternative programs than space available

15 Committee Findings: Current Programs in FCS Programs provide preventive strategies and respond to needs of students with behavior problems Stopping the Acts of Violence Through Education (SAVE) Substance Use Prevention and Education Resource (SUPER) Out-of-School Alternative Suspension (OSASP) McClarin and Independence high schools Second Chance/Crossroads Night school North and South Metro Psychoeducational programs

16 Committee Findings: Current Processes in FCS Processes designed to provide consistency and context for responses to behavior issues Trained school resource officers Tribunal system Responsibility cycle Code of conduct Second Step (conflict management) program in middle school health classes

17 Committee Findings: Changes in State Law House Bill 1190 County attendance committee, with school system representatives, to provide advice/recommendations on student discipline and attendance Preferable to reassign disruptive students to alternative educational settings than suspend or expel from school Removed exception from law for K-5 students

18 Committee Findings: What Is Needed in FCS Evaluation of alternative programs, including what happens to students after they leave Resources to meet diverse needs of students who need a non-traditional setting Alternative programs for elementary students Intervention programs at the elementary level to identify and support students who may have problems in the future System-provided or arranged student transportation to alternative programs Teacher training to work with highly challenged students Space and staffing

19 Committee Recommendations 1) At the system level, implement policies and practices that mandate... Diversification of faculty and staff Ongoing, regular diversity training for all faculty and staff 2) At the system and school level, implement... Ongoing proactive behavioral strategies Early intervention In-school suspension tied to curriculum Adult mentors Effective, positive discipline practices Create environment conducive to learning Change environment to improve student behavior

20 Committee Recommendations 3) At the system level, expand alternative programs by … Separating... Students with first offenses and/or minor violations from students with repeated and/or major offenses Open campus and alternative facilities Providing... Appropriate staff training and services for special education students with severe behavioral problems Temporary placement or homebound service option for students slated to go to North/South Metro but not yet admitted Alternative options for elementary students, such as... School within a school One alternative school per area Permanent placement alternative program for secondary students Transportation for students in alternative programs

21 Committee Recommendations 4) Provide systemwide, annual training for... Student resource officers Teachers in alternative programs All teachers and administrators Behaviors Discipline process Classroom management Cross-cultural communications skills and strategies Positive and effective discipline strategies Focus extra attention on more challenging 3 rd, 6 th and 9 th grades

22 Committee Recommendations 5) Provide resources (facilities, staffing, training, transportation) to meet students preventive, rehabilitative and alternative learning needs Allocate resources based on need, not just numbers Help stabilize schools with higher levels of risk factors 6) Implement preventive and rehabilitative programs for elementary students and their families

23 In Summary... SACS commended Fulton for allocating resources that support the teaching/learning process and that target identified needs for student success challenged Fulton to build a systems perspective that removes the perceptions of geographic boundaries Fulton County Balanced Scorecard measures include: Test scores and participation rates Attendance and drop-out rates Perception of safety No Child Left Behind (NCLB) measures include: Test scores and participation Attendance rates

24 Next Steps The Discipline Review Committee encourages Fulton County to help achieve SACS, Balanced Scorecard and No Child Left Behind goals by modifying discipline policies and practices to: Improve education for all students by identifying and meeting the needs of students with current or potential behavior problems Establish an action plan and time line to develop and implement programs to meet the needs of students with current or potential behavior problems Implement the recommendations of the Discipline Review Committee

25 In appreciation... The Discipline Review Committee... Thanks Fulton County for the opportunity to participate in this study Encourages Fulton County to study and act upon its recommendations Welcomes questions and discussion