House Bill 1287 - School Discipline Summary

• Department of education must develop and maintain a model evidence-based plan for improving student behavior and discipline by July 1, 2015, to be reviewed and disseminated every two years.

• School corporations and charter schools must establish evidence-based discipline plans and compile comprehensive data on disciplinary actions, suspensions, expulsions, and law enforcement referrals, disaggregated by race, ethnicity, gender, disability, age, and grade.

• Department shall develop criteria to identify disproportionality in discipline and work with schools to implement corrective action plans when suspension, expulsion, or referral rates exceed established guidelines.

• Creates Positive Discipline Practice Program Fund with $1,000,000 appropriation to provide grants for reducing disproportionate discipline, placing counselors and social workers in schools, and implementing positive behavior support programs.

• Requires schools to minimize use of exclusionary punishments, prioritize positive discipline practices and alternatives to suspension/expulsion, and develop reentry plans for expelled students; repeals requirement allowing principals to mandate alternative programs for students over 16.