Fair Discipline
Fair Discipline: Law and Policy
LEGAL MANUAL
FEDERAL LAWS
- Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEIA) of 2004, reauthorizing and amending the IDEA, H. R. 1350, Section 615(k) (student discipline provisions for special education students)
- Current Federal Regulations implementing the IDEA (note: click on "Regulations" link in lower box at left side of webpage), 34 C.F.R. §§ 300.530, 300.532, 300.533, 300.534. 300.536 (student discipline provisions for special education students) .
STATE LAWS
Pennsylvania School Code
- Authority of Teachers, Vice Principals, and Principals over Pupils, 24 P.S. § 13-1317
- Possession of Weapons Prohibited (Act 26), 24 P.S. § 13-1317.2
- Suspension and Expulsion of Pupils, 24 P.S. § 13-1318
- Safe Schools Law (Act 30), 24 P.S. §§ 13-1301-A to 13-1309-A
- Disruptive Student Program, 24 P.S. §§ 19-1901-C to 19-1905-C
- School Attendance and Truancy, 24 P.S. §§ 13-1316 to 13-1339
Pennsylvania Regulations
- Chapter 12 (student rights and responsibilities), 22 Pa. Code §§ 12.1-12.15
- Chapter 14 (state regulations implementing the IDEA) (See especially § 14.133 (behavior support) and § 14.143 (disciplinary placements)
GUIDANCE FROM THE PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
- Basic Education Circular (BEC) Safe Schools and Possession of Weapons (providing guidance on Act 26)
- Basic Education Circular (BEC) Alternative Education for Disruptive Youth
- Basic Education Circular (BEC) Disciplinary Exclusions of Students who are Eligible for Special Education
SCHOOL DISTRICT CODES OF CONDUCT
Each school district is required to have a code of student conduct listing school discipline policies. Below please find several examples of codes of conduct. School libraries are required to have a copy of the school district's code of student conduct.