Student Handbook - Code of Conduct
It is the policy of the Worcester Public Schools to ensure fair and effective disciplinary practices. Every student has a right to an education in a safe, secure, and supportive environment. Every teacher has a right to expect respectful, prepared students in their classroom.
A key aspect of a student’s education is the acquisition of social and behavioral skills; effective learning can only occur when students obey basic rules of conduct. This means that:
1. Students have a responsibility to conduct themselves in a manner that is in the best interest of the school and its students.
2. Caregivers have a responsibility to develop positive attitudes toward study and behavior.
3. Teachers have a responsibility to continue behavior development through teaching and discipline in the classroom.
4. The Administration and the School Committee have a responsibility to support and maintain the enforcement of discipline within the school buildings through policies and practices that are designed to use discretion and to re-engage the student in the learning process.
The administrator will exercise discretion in determining disciplinary consequences. The administrator may utilize their discretion to increase penalties in the cases of second and third offenses or for other factors. In determining the penalty or suspension, the appropriate administrator may consider all relevant facts, including but not limited to:
1)Findings of the investigation, including student interviews, of the school-related disciplinary incident.
2)previous disciplinary record,
3) severity of disruption to the educational process,
4) degree of danger to self and/or others,
5) the degree to which the student is willing to change their inappropriate behavior and
6) whether alternative consequences are appropriate to re-engage the student in learning.
In every case of student misconduct for which suspension may be imposed under MGL c. 71 §37H ¾ the principal shall first consider ways to re-engage the student in learning and shall not use suspension from school as a consequence until alternative remedies have been tried and documented, except as follows: (1) where said decision-maker documents specific reasons why alternative remedies are unsuitable or counterproductive; or (2) where the student's continued presence in school would pose a specific, documentable concern about the infliction of serious bodily injury or other serious harm to another person while in school.
All students are expected to meet the requirements for behavior as set forth in this handbook. Chapter 71B of the Massachusetts General Laws, requires that additional provisions be made for students who have been found by an evaluation team to have special needs and whose program is described in an Individualized Educational Plan (IEP). Such provisions will also be made, when appropriate, for students with a disability who are receiving accommodations or related services under a 504 plan.
MGL c. 71, § 37H: Policies relative to conduct of teachers or students; student handbooks
Schools must have policies about student discipline, and students must get a handbook that explains the rules. A student who brings a weapon or drugs to school, or assaults a staff member may be expelled.
MGL c. 71, § 37H ½: Felony complaint or conviction of student; suspension; expulsion; right to appeal
If a student is charged with a felony, they may be suspended. If they are convicted of a felony, they may be expelled. The student can appeal the decision.
MGL c. 71, § 37H ¾: Rules for schools to follow if they suspend or expel a student for any other reason, and use of alternative remedies other than suspension or expulsion.
603 CMR 53.00: limits the use of long-term suspension as a consequence for student misconduct until other consequences have been considered and tried as appropriate; promotes engagement of a student's parent in discussion of the student's misconduct, and options for responding to it; assures that every student who is expelled or suspended, regardless of the reason for suspension or expulsion, has the opportunity to receive education services to make academic progress during the period of suspension or expulsion; and keeps schools safe.
School-Imposed Discipline
Disruptive Conduct
Violation of any of the following rules is grounds for discipline as defined above and pertains to actions both on or off school grounds during school or school related situations.