Discipline of Students with Disabilities

Discipline of Students with Disabilities

(Board Policy 7–230)

Behavioral Interventions

Behavioral interventions shall be used with students with disabilities to promote and strengthen desirable behaviors and reduce identified inappropriate behaviors. The School Board will establish and maintain a committee to develop, implement, and monitor procedures on the use of behavioral interventions for children with disabilities.

Discipline of Special Education Students and Students with Section 504 Plans

Students with disabilities (students with IEPs or Section 504 Plans or students in the referral process) are subject to the District’s disciplinary procedures as set forth in Board policy and this Student Handbook. The District shall comply with state and federal laws and regulations when disciplining special education students. Students who have qualified for special education services shall be disciplined in accordance with the requirements set forth by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Illinois State Board of Education's Regulations when disciplining students with disabilities.

Suspension and Expulsion

School officials may suspend students with disabilities for a total of up to 10 cumulative school days in one school year in the same manner as nondisabled peers. Federal regulations allow for the suspension of students with disabilities in excess of 10 school days in the school year if the behavior was not a manifestation of the student’s disability. If a student is recommended for suspension for more than 10 school days and/or expulsion, a Manifestation Determination Review (MDR) is held to determine whether the student’s conduct was a manifestation of the student’s disability and whether the student may be suspended in excess of 10 days and/or expelled. In such cases, the school will provide written notice to the student’s parent/guardian of the suspension and/or recommendation for expulsion and the date of an MDR. If the team determines the conduct was not a manifestation of the student’s disability, the student may be suspended in excess of 10 cumulative school days. If the student’s behavior is a manifestation of the disability, exclusionary discipline beyond 10 school days will not be imposed.