Discipline in Nevada schools is about to change. Assembly Bill 168, which deals with suspending and expelling students, was signed into law in June. The Washoe County School District and other schools across the state now have to adjust to the restrictions on discipline outlined in that legislation.
Discipline within the Washoe County School District is about to get a bit more fuzzy. Assembly Bill 168 which places restrictions on school expulsions and suspensions is now a law.
“Traditional approaches to discipline have not been very effective,” said WCSD Chief Ombudsman Paul LaMarca.
Previously, schools were allowed to expel a student for selling drugs or attacking a teacher. Now, a plan of action to correct the student's behavior has to be made, before an expulsion can take place. WCSD says it has the programs in place to help. “We have emotional learning initiatives, equity and diversity work, and a very strong behavioral department. So we have behavioral planning and support for students. Those pieces all fit together,” said LaMarca.
“I don't think they should take drastic measures the first time around. I think they should try to help them,” said Crystal Ames who has a son who attends a WCSD elementary school. She thinks this is a good idea. But not all parents agree. ”If harsh violence and drugs is at stake, I think expelling would be more the answer than tolerating that,” said WCSD parent Paula Scott.
The law would also limit both expulsion and long term suspensions for kids 10 and under. “For students 10 years or younger, the change to the legislation really prohibits exclusion except for extra ordinary circumstances. We are seeking more clarification on what constitutes an extra ordinary circumstance,” said LaMarca.
The law also cuts the number of days that a special education student can be suspended from 10 days per incident to 5 days. Ames, whose son is in special Ed, disagrees with this policy. “The punishment should fit the crime. I don't think it should just be 5 days. It should be 5, 7, and 10 days depending on the circumstance,” said Ames.
