Mr. Carmichael believed some of the best practices are:

·         Use the resources available in the district

·         Lean on administrators who have experience

·         Do not be afraid to ask for help in determining if you are following the correct protocol

·         Students being suspended for cussing

·         Many cases did not deal with bodily harm or the use of illegal drugs or weapons

·         Suspension and expulsion rates are extremely high

·         Advocate believes continuous monitoring and training is needed to help with decreasing the rate 

Shockman, Elizabeth. “How Young Is Too Young to Be Suspended from School?” MPR News, 4 June 2019, https://www.mprnews.org/story/2019/06/04/how-young-is-too-young-to-be-suspended-from-school.

·         Large gaps between different racial groups and suspensions within each group

·         Large gaps between students in special education services

·         African American students have the largest suspension rate

·         Some punishments are harsher than others for the same offense

Kamenetz, Anya. “Suspensions are down in U.S. schools but large racial gaps remain.” NPR, National Public Radio, 17 Dec. 2018, https://www.npr.org/2018/12/17/677508707/suspensions-are-down-in-u-s-schools-but-large-racial-gaps-remain.

·         They must clearly state the circumstances for which a student may be removed. 

·         The school district must also specify the conditions that allow for administration to transfer the student to a disciplinary alternative program. 

·         They must also clearly provide guidelines for the length in which students are removed from certain setting, suspended, or expelled

(2 TEC § 37.001)

 https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/ED/htm/ED.37.htm

Alternative Setting for Behavior Management, 2 TEC § 37.001

·          Students may be expelled if they bring fire arms on school property. 

·         The school district has the right to alter the length of expulsion as they see fit.

·          It also discusses what actions should be taken if a student under the age of ten takes action in any unlawful activity outlined in this statute 

(2 TEC § 37.007)

https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/ED/htm/ED.37.htm

Alternative Setting for Behavior Management, 2 TEC § 37.007 

·         The statute outlines the gun-free school zone and what is considered to be a firearm. 

·         The student committing the offense is required to spend no less than a year as expelled from the school.

·          It also discusses the requirements by the district that must be reported to the state and federal entities

(20 U.S.C. § 7961)

https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(title:20%20section:7961%20edition:prelim)%20OR%20(granuleid:USC-prelim-title20-section7961)&f=treesort&edition=prelim&num=0&jumpTo=true

Gun-free School Act, 20 U.S.C. § 7961

·         The statute discusses that the student code of conduct written by each school district, gives information regarding the use of suspension.

·          This statute also discusses the length of suspension and what it must not exceed.

·          It also outlines when a student under third grade can be suspended for.

(2 TEC § 37.005)

https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/ED/htm/ED.37.htm

Alternative Setting for Behavior Management, 2 TEC § 37.005

·         Know the policies from local, state, and federal entities

·         Stay current on legislation

·         Know your rights

·         Know the rights of students and make sure they understand them

·         Follow all policies, protocols, and guidelines outlined by the district

·         Actively discuss policies and protocols with other administrators

·         Make sure teachers are up-to-date with their rights and the protocols they need to follow