The Chancellor of the District of Columbia Public Schools, pursuant to section 103 of the District of Columbia Public Education Reform Amendment Act of 2007 (Act), effective June 12, 2007 (DC Law 17-9; DC Official Code § 38-172) (2007 Supp.), and Mayor’s Order 2007-186 (August 10, 2007), hereby gives notice of the adoption of the following rule. The rule will repeal Title 5, Chapter 25 of the DC Municipal Regulations (DCMR), and replace it with Chapter B25 to establish revised student discipline rules for the District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS).

A notice of proposed rulemaking was published in the DC Register on March 27, 2009 ( 56 DCR 2399). No changes have been made to the text of the proposed rules. Additionally, the Student Discipline Regulations Approval Resolution of 2009 (PR18-201) was submitted to the Council on April 7, 2009. The Council has neither approved nor disapproved of the rulemaking during the required 45 day period of Council review and they are therefore deemed approved pursuant to section 103 of the Act. These rules shall become effective on the date of publication of this notice in the DC Register.

The Youth Engagement Division and Chief of schools are very excited to announce the completion of a six month effort aimed at providing alternatives to suspension regarding Subtitle 5-B, Chapter 25 of the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations (DCMR) – Student Discipline (“Chapter 25”).  This guidance is the direct result of an ongoing internal work group comprised of principals, deans, and several offices within central administration, including the Office of Specialized Instruction, School Operations, and the Youth Engagement Division.  Our intention is to ensure disciplinary responses are as objective and measured as possible, which will ensure appropriate responses are assigned to each behavior.  Additionally, the purpose of this guidance is to provide school leaders a practical guide to effectively apply the Chapter 25 student discipline rules in their buildings, including how to apply disciplinary responses to negative behaviors and how to acknowledge positive behavior.  You may refer to the two “Clarifying documents” attached below to use in conjunction with Chapter 25 which is also attached here.

Please contact David W. Jenkins [email protected] with any questions regarding the attached “Chief of Schools Guidance Regarding Select Chapter 25 Provisions, Behavior and Disciplinary Responses Version 1.5".