Legal & Ethical Guide: Suspension of Students by Stephanie Teaney https://padlet.com/steaney/faphwjhh3bjiat24 en-us 2020-11-20 16:32:47 UTC 2020-11-21 18:01:16 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet.net/icons/png/1f4da.png Slide #1: Professional Perspective/Audience/ Topic steaney https://padlet.com/steaney/faphwjhh3bjiat24/wish/945991366 I am currently a math instructional coach at The Leadership Academy at Forest Oak 6th Grade. I aspire to work as an Assistant Principal within the next 3 years. The audience for this Padlet would be aspiring or novice administrators. I have selected "suspension of students" because it is a highly controversial practice. Teachers feel unsupported when administrators do not provide ample punishment for student misbehavior. Alternatively, administrators face scrutiny for suspending too many students or suspending certain student populations disproportionately. ]]> 2020-11-20 16:35:40 UTC https://padlet.com/steaney/faphwjhh3bjiat24/wish/945991366 Slide #2: Interview steaney https://padlet.com/steaney/faphwjhh3bjiat24/wish/945993932 1. Q: Why is suspension of students important in your field of education or how it is impacting your field of education? 
A: "Suspending students is a two-edged sword. On one end, you want to support your teachers and hold students accountable. On the other end, every day that students are suspended, days of instruction are being missed. Plus, every day a student is off your campus, either suspended or absent, you lose school funding. You have to weigh the loss of instruction and loss of funding against supporting the teachers. The moral of the story is to try to find alternatives to suspension and support that student so that if they do need to be suspended, it is a one-time occurrence because in the long run, it hurts the student and it hurts the campus."
2. Q: What are some best practices related to suspending students?
  • A: "Take the time to make sure the student understands why they're being suspended."
  • "Communicate the expectations with the parent."
  • "Offer support to the teacher and get to the root of the problem. Refer the student to the appropriate support staff such as counselors or intervention specialists."
3. Q: What is an area emerging issue related to suspending students that educators should watch to see how it plays out and impacts your work?
A: "The biggest emerging issue is equity and the disproportionality of African American and Special Education students being suspended. I think many times, you have a student who has a learning disability and they don't want other students to see that so they act out. They want to be suspended and do not want to be in school. It is important as teachers and administrators to find out what the underlying issues are and to give those students something to enjoy about school that will give them confidence."
4. Michael Conner, Lead Assistant Principal of The Leadership Academy @ Forest Oak 6th, was interviewed for this piece. 
]]> 2020-11-20 16:36:11 UTC https://padlet.com/steaney/faphwjhh3bjiat24/wish/945993932 Slide #3: Professional Association steaney https://padlet.com/steaney/faphwjhh3bjiat24/wish/945997126 Teaching Tolerance is a professional association that provides educators, administrators, and counselors with free resources that teach inclusivity and respect for all. This is related to my topic because sometimes students act out when they do not feel connected to their school. Incorporating reading and social studies curriculum that is culturally relevant is a way to foster the connectivity for all students. Representation is important and could prevent students from feeling isolated, thereby reducing instances of student misbehavior.

Dillard, C. (2020, October). The weaponization of whiteness in schools. Teaching Tolerance, 65(1), 19-24. https://www.tolerance.org/sites/default/files/2020-09/Teaching-Tolerance-Magazine-65-Fall-2020_1.pdf]]> 2020-11-20 16:36:48 UTC https://padlet.com/steaney/faphwjhh3bjiat24/wish/945997126 Slide #4: Current News Article steaney https://padlet.com/steaney/faphwjhh3bjiat24/wish/945998803
  • Students are being suspended, even virtually, for a variety of new infractions. 
  • In school, students are being suspended for not wearing their masks or intentionally coughing on others. This is treated as an assault in some Texas school districts. 
  • Virtual learners are being suspended for not being in appropriate dress code or for eating while on camera. 
  • Secondary schools are suspending students at a rate five times higher than elementary. 
  • A disproportionate amount of Black and Brown students are being suspended, heightening the need for cultural awareness training. 

    • Alvarez, B. (2020, November 19). School suspensions lead to stark loss in instructional time. National Education Association.
    https://www.nea.org/advocating-for-change/new-from-nea/school-suspensions-lead-stark-losses-instructional-time
    ]]>     2020-11-20 16:37:07 UTC https://padlet.com/steaney/faphwjhh3bjiat24/wish/945998803     Slide #5: Current News Article steaney https://padlet.com/steaney/faphwjhh3bjiat24/wish/946004674
  • In a survey conducted by the Fordham Institute, Teachers reported feeling conflicted about suspensions; however, suspensions are supported for behavior regulation. 
  • Restorative practices have been implemented nationwide to help curtail instances of suspension. 
  • The factor that teachers attributed to student misbehavior most frequently was lack of at-home support. 
  • Teachers reported that even though the amount of formal disciplinary action has decreased in recent years, it is not due to a lack of misbehavior. Rather, the tolerance for misbehavior has increased.

    • Will, M. (2019, July 30). Survey: Teachers are conflicted about the role of suspensions. Education Week. 
    http://blogs.edweek.org/teachers/teaching_now/2019/07/survey_teachers_conflicted_role_suspensions.html
    ]]>     2020-11-20 16:38:13 UTC https://padlet.com/steaney/faphwjhh3bjiat24/wish/946004674     Slide #6: Original Source of Law steaney https://padlet.com/steaney/faphwjhh3bjiat24/wish/946006924 Judicial Law:
    • This case involved a student who was suspended for ten days without a hearing prior to the suspension or within a reasonable period of time. 
    • This violates the Due Process clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.

      Ref: Goss v. Lopez, 419 U.S.C. § 565 (1975).  https://www.loc.gov/item/usrep419565/
    ]]>     2020-11-20 16:38:38 UTC https://padlet.com/steaney/faphwjhh3bjiat24/wish/946006924     Slide #7: Original Source of Law steaney https://padlet.com/steaney/faphwjhh3bjiat24/wish/946008549 Statutory Law:
    • This discusses the requirements for a school district's code of conduct (SCOC).
    • It states that the SCOC must be readily available. 
    • It must also give detailed explanation about the student actions that would lead to suspension and/or expulsion.

    Student Code of Conduct, 2 Tex. Educ. Code § 37.001 (2013).  https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/ED/htm/ED.37.htm
    ]]>     2020-11-20 16:38:58 UTC https://padlet.com/steaney/faphwjhh3bjiat24/wish/946008549     Slide #8: Original Source of Law steaney https://padlet.com/steaney/faphwjhh3bjiat24/wish/946009293 Federal Law:

    • This law ensures that no individual that attends or is a part of a federally funded entity is discriminated against due to race, color, or national origin.
    • As it pertains to the issue of school suspension, no school official can suspend a student due to their race, color, or national origin.

    Civil Rights Act of 1964, Pub. L. No. 88-352, 78 Stat. 252 (1964). https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/STATUTE-78/pdf/STATUTE-78-Pg241.pdf    
    ]]>     2020-11-20 16:39:05 UTC https://padlet.com/steaney/faphwjhh3bjiat24/wish/946009293     Slide #9: Original Source of Law steaney https://padlet.com/steaney/faphwjhh3bjiat24/wish/946009924 Constitutional Law:
    • This amendment to the U.S. Constitution ensures that all citizens of the United States have their liberty protected. Therefore, States cannot make discriminatory laws against any population. 
    • This also ensures due process for all people, which can be extended to all students in this circumstance. 
    Ref: U.S. Const. amend. XIX

    ]]>     2020-11-20 16:39:11 UTC https://padlet.com/steaney/faphwjhh3bjiat24/wish/946009924     Slide #10: Local Administrative Law/Policy/Rule steaney https://padlet.com/steaney/faphwjhh3bjiat24/wish/946011814
  • This local policy is Fort Worth ISD's Student Code of Conduct. It outlines the responsibilities of the teachers, staff, administrators, and parents in regards to student discipline. 
  • The SCOC describes different consequences that may be given
    • ]]>     2020-11-20 16:39:34 UTC https://padlet.com/steaney/faphwjhh3bjiat24/wish/946011814     Slide #11: Ethical Principle steaney https://padlet.com/steaney/faphwjhh3bjiat24/wish/946013784
  • Ethical code item 2.1 discusses student treatment: all students must be treated with respect and dignity. 
  • This ties in to student suspension because students must be punished in a way that is equitable. There should not be a presence of preferential treatment or racism when administering discipline. 


    • ]]>     2020-11-20 16:39:58 UTC https://padlet.com/steaney/faphwjhh3bjiat24/wish/946013784     Slide #12: Personal Connection to the Legal and Ethical Standards steaney https://padlet.com/steaney/faphwjhh3bjiat24/wish/946015414
  • This ethical principle is connected to my personal educational journey because it ensured that I was treated with dignity and respect. 
  • I feel like this principle is important because it protects the student. Sometimes, students can feel like they do not have rights or a voice when speaking with adults. 
  • Knowing this ethical principle could give students a feeling of protection as it pertains to their educational journey.  

    • ]]>     2020-11-20 16:40:19 UTC https://padlet.com/steaney/faphwjhh3bjiat24/wish/946015414     Slide #13: Bulleted List of Recommendations / Best Practices for Compliance steaney https://padlet.com/steaney/faphwjhh3bjiat24/wish/946017199
  • When considering suspension, first determine the root cause.
  • Utilize school support staff to address any social/emotional issues that might be present. 
  • When suspending, let students know why they are being suspended in order to avoid future instances of suspension. 
  • Involve parents and let them know why the behavior is unacceptable for the learning environment, in an effort to involve them and make them feel like an integral part of the school community. 
  • Do not suspend for a prolonged period of time, as it jeopardizes learning as well as school funding.
  • Keep teachers informed: let them know why suspension is not the best option for the student at that particular moment.
    • ]]>     2020-11-20 16:40:41 UTC https://padlet.com/steaney/faphwjhh3bjiat24/wish/946017199