1. Proposed Revisions to the Behavioral Learning Guides
Christie Finley
Deputy Superintendent of Strategy and Innovation
Christopher M. Pape
Attorney for the Board of Education
7/28/2017

2. Overview Summary of 2016-17 Documents
Feedback about the Documents
Major Changes:
to the documents;
to Consequences; and
to Prohibited Behaviors.

3. Summary of 2016-17 Documents There were two different documents:
The Secondary Behavioral Learning Guide
The Elementary Behavioral Learning Guide
Each document contained lengthy, detailed descriptions of all discipline procedures and strategies.
All prohibited behaviors were assigned to multiple Response Levels (in the Behavioral Learning Matrix)
The Response Levels helped schools progressively respond to student misbehavior.
The Response Levels required more significant consequences and supports as they got higher.

4. Feedback About 2016-17 Documents
The documents were too long/too detailed.
There were too many examples.
Teachers wanted clarity about when to move up a level.
Some behaviors needed to be reclassified.
Principals need more discretion.

5. Major Changes to the Documents
The Secondary and Elementary BLGs are gone.
There are three new documents:
The Behavioral Learning Guide
The Secondary Matrix
The Elementary Matrix
They are formatted differently from last year’s documents to make them easier to read and use:
Reduced the number of large paragraphs
More charts, tables, and graphics
The Matrices will be made into hardcopies for teachers

6. Major Changes to the Documents
The Behavioral Learning Guide:
The BLG serves as the instructions for the Matrices
It provides brief descriptions of Behavioral Learning strategies like PBIS and Restorative Practices.
The Secondary Matrix:
Provides short instructions for responding to misbehavior
Contains expected and prohibited behaviors with corresponding Response Levels (similar to last year)
The Elementary Matrix:
Same format as the Secondary Matrix but with instructions tailored to elementary students.

7. Major Changes to the Consequences
All of the changes to consequences and behaviors that we will discuss were the result of collaboration with:
BLG Liaisons
Principals and their admin teams
District administrators
Superintendent
The Department of Justice reviewed the District’s proposed changes and provided feedback that is part of the final versions of the documents.
Mid-year data review to check if new strategies are working

8. Major Changes to the Consequences
Restorative Panel Meeting:
District-Level
It’s an opportunity, not a requirement
Often a last chance before expulsion (for Secondary)
Expulsion:
Expulsion lengths will be based on number of days
Length will increase for subsequent expulsions
Opportunity to return back to school early
Resetting:
Allows schools to restart the progressive discipline process if a student is able to behave for a defined period of time.

9. Major Changes to the Behaviors
Alcohol and Drugs
In , there were a variety of Response Levels (some as low as a Level 2) in the BLGs related to alcohol and drugs.
In the Matrices:

10. Major Changes to the Behaviors
New Offenses
In , the maximum consequence for harassment based on a protected characteristic was a Level 2.
In , there was no offense for threatening another student with weapon violence on social media.
In the Matrices:

11. Major Changes to the Behaviors
More Discretion
In , principals didn’t have as much discretion for handling physical aggression offenses.
In the Matrices:

12. Major Changes to the Behaviors
More Guidance
The documents were too vague about certain issues, such as:
What constitutes a “toy” gun?
What should a principal do for students who won’t stay in class or in school?
How should a teacher handle directed profanity?
Toy gun has been redefined.
The Matrices have been updated with consequences for a student’s failure to remain in class and school.
The Matrices now encourage teachers to address profanity in the classroom if able, but if necessary – based on their discretion – teachers can begin with a Level 2 (administrator) Response.

13. Proposed Revisions to the Behavioral Learning Guides
Christie Finley
Deputy Superintendent of Strategy and Innovation
Christopher M. Pape
Attorney for the Board of Education
7/28/2017