At DCPS, we are committed to educating the whole child by providing rigorous, joyful, and inclusive academic and social emotional learning experiences to ensure all students are college and career ready. A key component of this is work is creating safe, supportive, and inclusive learning environments for both students and staff. We believe that the focus on educating the whole child will help to ensure an environment where all can grow and learn in order to become our best selves.
In May 2018, the DC Council passed the Student Fair Access to School Act, which was reviewed by the Mayor and enacted on July 12, 2018. This new law requires changes to DCPS student discipline policies over the course of three school years. Most significantly, beginning in school year 2018-2019, the Act places restrictions on the number of consecutive and cumulative days in any out-of-school suspension that students can receive:
*The exception to the above requirements is if a student violates the Gun Free Schools Act. This federal law requires all schools to expel a student, who is determined to have brought a firearm to a school, or to have possessed a firearm at a school, from attending school for a period of not less than 1 year. The Chancellor can modify the expulsion requirement
As part of our commitment to creating joyful learning environments, DCPS commissioned a review of discipline policies, procedures, and practices at 10 schools during school years 15-16 and 16-17. The goal of this review was to inform areas where we can collectively improve systems and supports for schools, staff, and students concerning discipline matters. DCPS is also developing a Behavior Task Force to ensure that school communities are best positioned to develop safe, supportive, and nurturing learning environments. More specifically, in school year 18-19 we are:
We look forward to engaging on this work with practitioners and stakeholders across the city.
Questions? Please email Adam Lustig ([email protected]), SEL and School Culture Manager.