On August 17, the SAISD District Wide Student Discipline Task Force held its first meeting. The task force is composed of six teachers, six campus administrators, a hearing officer, Cora Johns and David Udovich from the central office administration, and the Alliance president and executive vice president. Based on a July meeting between Ms. Johns, Superintendent Durón, Alliance President Shelley Potter, and Alliance Vice President Gracie Oviedo, the task force is charged with developing a plan that includes:
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An aligned focus on ORDER and DISCIPLINE as priorities due to the impact on SAFETY.
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Something visible across the district so that everyone knows that there is a concerted push regarding student discipline.
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Every campus having a campus discipline management plan that includes certain components and is based on a common commitment.
The district task force grew out of work done by the Alliance last school year after student discipline surfaced as the top issue on the Consultation survey. The Alliance formed a “Discipline Action Team” to conduct employee outreach and Board advocacy. The Superintendent and Alliance leaders agreed to a joint discipline task force and a joint campaign.
The superintendent agreed with several recommendations presented by the Alliance, including:
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Conduct a discipline survey of staff, parents (and students at secondary) by campus at least annually. (Based on the survey results, utilize campus administrators accordingly to assist with training.)
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Require that each campus have a campus-wide behavior management plan based on a common commitment.
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Structure the district curriculum guides for all levels and all subjects to allow for and/or build in the teaching of rules, routines, procedures, and consequences for at least the first two weeks of school.
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Provide additional support for new teachers in hard-to-staff schools.
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Develop a standard letter regarding student behavior expectations to send home to each student’s parent(s). Utilize language that emphasizes the importance of creating a safe, orderly, respectful learning environment.
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Have annual presentations by SAISD Police Department at each secondary school on the role of campus officer, citations, weapons definitions, relationship with SAPD.
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Create a district committee to develop plans and procedures for how to handle major and violent offenses committed by younger students.
The task force reviewed data and began moving forward with its charge and the recommendations. The overall campaign will emphasize the theme of Respect, Responsibility, Relationships = Results and that all adults in the system should model the behavior we hope for from our students.
Ms. Johns reported that she has collected the campus discipline management plans from all campuses that have one. Some campuses did not have a plan. Others have a plan that may be on paper only. Ms. Johns reported that the plans varied widely.
The task force discussed the components that should be included in a campus discipline management plan: rules for the campus and the classrooms; character components (core values); progressive consequences; common commitment; and a plan for how to orient new students and new staff. There was discussion about PBIS, which is now in all SAISD elementary and middle schools and whether all of the components are included in the PBIS approach.
The criteria that should be considered for the members of the campus team that would work on the campus plan were also discussed and included: staff with good classroom management, representation from different departments or grade levels, and staff that are respected by their peers.
Another idea that was discussed was whether facilitators from every campus could be trained in the Managing Anti-Social Behavior (MAB) class that the Alliance and the district offer through their professional learning collaboration. Alliance leaders will explore this possibility with its national affiliate, AFT, which provides the training for MAB facilitators.
The task force is scheduled to meet again on October 19. Work will include working on questions to be used on the annual discipline survey of each school’s staff, parents, (and students at the secondary level).
The Alliance is the only organization that spoke out on discipline and the importance of a safe, orderly learning environment that is conducive to learning. As the district task force’s work progresses, the Alliance will keep you updated.
Copyright 2010 San Antonio Alliance of Teachers and Support Personnel