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Littleton Public Schools Regulation |
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Policy Code JKBA-R Policy Name Disciplinary Removal From Classroom Adoption January 25, 2001 Revised June 23, 2011 |
Staff, including administrators and teachers, must use their training, experience, and authority to create schools and classes where effective learning is possible. Students should be able to attend school and classes as free as reasonably possible from unnecessary and unwarranted distraction and disruption. Such behavior interferes with the classroom environment and will not be tolerated.
A student may be removed from a classroom by a teacher only in accordance with the requirements of this policy. For purposes of this policy, a “class” includes regular classes, special classes, resource room sessions, labs, study halls, library time, school assemblies, and other such learning opportunities taught or supervised by a teacher. “Teacher” means a person holding a license issued by the state who is employed to instruct, direct, or supervise the instructional program. Substitute teachers may informally remove a student under circumstances described in this policy.
Informal Removal From Class
A teacher may informally remove a student from class if the student breaks one or more classroom rules in a class period or during the school day. The teacher may informally remove a student by using appropriate discipline management techniques such as having the student stand in the hall outside the door or some other safe alternative setting either in or out of the classroom. The procedures set forth in the section below regarding formal removal do not apply to an informal removal from class.
Formal Removal From Class
A teacher may formally remove a student from class if the student’s behavior causes a disruption to the learning environment. Disruption may include willful and continued disobedience, open and persistent defiance, behavior that is distracting or disruptive to the learning or safety of others, threats, physical or emotional abuse against peers, teachers, or other individuals in the classroom or similar behaviors detrimental to others or that distract from appropriate classroom relationships and activities.
Unless the behavior is extreme, the teacher first shall warn the student that continued misbehavior will lead to removal from class. When the teacher determines that removal is appropriate, he or she must ensure that the student is removed to a place where adequate supervision is available. When the student arrives at the designated location, the principal or designee shall give the student an opportunity to briefly explain the situation. If the building principal or designee disagrees with the removal after appropriate principal or designee follow-up with the classroom teacher, the student shall be allowed to return to the class, at the discretion of the principal or designee.
Within 24 hours of the student’s removal from class, the teacher shall submit a discipline referral to the principal or designee. The teacher shall promptly attempt to contact the student’s parent, guardian, or legal custodian to inform him or her that the student was removed from class and to request his or her presence at a student-teacher conference with the principal or designee.
The first formal removal from class may only last for the remainder of the class period or up to one hour unless extenuating circumstances exist. The second removal may only last until a student-teacher conference can be held. The third formal removal from a specific class shall last for the remainder of the grading term. The principal or designee shall be responsible for determining appropriate alternative educational services, if any, and credit for the student as appropriate. In the event of a third removal, the student may appeal the removal to the Superintendent or designee within five school days of the removal who then shall hold a hearing to review the removal. The decision of the Superintendent or designee shall be final.
The teacher may write a behavior plan after the first removal and shall write or revise a plan after the second removal from class. A behavior plan is not the same as a remedial discipline plan developed for habitually disruptive students. The principal or designee will review the appropriateness of the classroom removal and determine if further student discipline is warranted.
The principal or designee shall collect data pertaining to the number of students who are removed from class during the year. This information will be reported to the public in the safety section of the school report card. All teacher actions under this policy shall be subject to evaluation and supervision by the teacher’s supervisor, as provided in Board policy, including the evaluation policy.