Positive Supports for Behavior and Discipline Resource Database

This guide is designed primarily for use by district teams seeking to reduce racial and ethnic disproportionality in school discipline, regardless of whether they are implementing SWPBIS. It provides examples of content that could be included in board policies or district administrative rules and regulations. School teams may also use this guide in developing school- specific policies and procedures. This guide is not intended to replace legal counsel for policies required by local, state, and federal legislation.

The final rule published in the Federal Register on December 19, 2016, amended the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act to help to ensure that States meaningfully identify LEAs with significant disproportionality and that States assist LEAs in ensuring that children with disabilities are properly identified for services, receive necessary services in the least restrictive environment, and are not disproportionately removed from their educational placements by disciplinary removals. This webinar, from February 2, 2017 will provide a broad overview of the contents of the rule, including the requirements on the standard methodology proposed, reservation of funds for comprehensive coordinated early intervening services, and data requirements and calculations.

This PDF contains data on suspension and expulsions and the use of seclusion and restraint across the nation and state-by-state. Data include information on preschools, and are disaggregated by race/ethnicity and disability status.This PDF contains data on suspension and expulsions and the use of seclusion and restraint across the nation and state-by-state.

On June 2, 2016 the Center for Civil Rights Remedies along with UCLA released the report: The High Cost of Harsh Discipline and Its Disparate Impact. This report builds on research that demonstrates that excessive school suspensions fail to improve school learning environments or enhance academic achievement. 

During this presentation experts, including current OSEP grantees, discussed what we know about:

1. Determining the factors that drive high expectations, such as child, family and other stakeholder engagement;
2. How to support each child and family in establishing and meeting those expectations;
3. Working towards each child having access to an education that meets her or his unique and individual needs;
4. How high expectations relate to State academic content standards; and
5. Incorporating evidence-based practices in the IEP.

All of this will be presented in light of how these practices and principles relate to the United States Supreme Court in Endrew F. v. Douglas County School District RE-1, commonly referred to as “Endrew F.”

There is a growing evidence base on the relationship between positive learning environments, child development, and academic achievement. OSEP’s second Symposium highlighted core principles relating to creating and maintaining safe and supportive learning environments and why and how States, districts, programs, and schools should consider integrating this work into their improvement plans. The Symposium included examples of aligning initiatives, funds, personnel preparation, evidence-based practices, and professional development in early childhood and K-12 settings. Information shared will be helpful for technical assistance providers, personnel development providers, and parents.

The OSEP Symposium on Significant Disproportionality explored why this is an important topic for all of us as we work to ensure that children with disabilities, regardless of race or ethnicity, are provided educational services and accommodations that enable and prepare them for post-school education and career opportunities. The Symposium presentations highlighted the key topics from a national perspective, framed the importance of this issue for all OSEP grantees, and provided some examples of practices and strategies that help address significant disproportionality. In addition to the live event, numerous resources related to significant disproportionality have been posted for participants to use as they prepared for the event and as resources to improve services and conditions for children with disabilities in States, districts, schools, and programs. Approximately one week after the live event, there will be additional opportunities for OSEP grantees to engage in further discussion.