S.C.R. NO. 107 Summary

• Requests the Department of Education to limit all suspensions to imminent physical threats and cap duration at 3 days or less for elementary students and 5 days or less for middle and high school students during the 2020-2021 school year pilot.

• Requires a hearing with a school counselor, teacher, student, guardian, and administrator once a suspension is determined to review appropriateness and develop a written plan for out-of-school educational services and classroom reintegration.

• Establishes a procedure for suspension extensions (additional 3 days for elementary, 5 days for middle/high school) with mandatory review meetings following the same process.

• Directs the Department of Education to publish a report by twenty days before the 2022 legislative session detailing suspension data by type, length, and extensions disaggregated by student demographics, all memoranda issued, and alternatives to suspension used.

• Emphasizes that research shows suspensions fail to address root causes of behavior, disproportionately affect students of color and students with disabilities, and that positive alternatives have reduced suspension rates in other school districts.