Discipline Referral Policy for Schools Up for Review

Teachers in Anne Arundel County Public Schools (AACPS) could soon practice a new discipline referral policy in accordance with legislation passed by the General Assembly earlier this year.

The policy, drafted by a nine-member committee, aims to create consistency when filing discipline referrals.

"It was truly a collaborative process," said  President Patricia Nalley, who served on the committee. "We had a charge from the legislature to develop a discipline referral policy that was consistent and we received input from all the stakeholders."

The new policy calls for a four-part form that is completed by an administrator, teacher or other staff member and cites the specific reason for the referral. Previously a three-part form, the fourth copy is to be retained by the person who completes the form.

"The concern brought to the legislature was that the form would not be returned to the originator," said George Arlotto, the assistant superintendent who sat on the committee.

This way the person who wrote the referral could have a copy for his or her records if follow-up was necessary, he said.

Administrators are then asked to review and process the referral within 48 hours. This means discussing the appropriateness of the referral and asking any questions necessary. It calls for speaking with the student about his or her actions to determine if any disciplinary measure will be taken and, if the referral is to be processed, ensuring the information is entered into the student's record.

"Just because a discipline referral form is completed, it doesn't necessarily mean it was warranted," Arlotto said.

School board member Eugene Peterson, representing District 21, said he hoped reviewing the discipline referral policy would create an opportunity to narrow the gap between the student-teacher relationship. He said the bulk of discipline referrals are for insubordination.

"We're suspending kids, we're kicking them out, for insubordination — which is described in one of my favorite movies, Cool Hand Luke, as a 'failure to communicate,'" he said. "I hope that we [are able] to foster communication."

School board member Solon Webb, District 30, said he reviewed about 30 discipline referral forms Tuesday and saw a different trend.

"The vast majority of referrals were for skipping class … there was a very low number of [referrals for] insubordination," he said. "So, I'd be interested to see some more research on that."

The proposed policy will be discussed by the board at least once more before it comes up for a vote, said Bob Mosier, AACPS public information officer. The policy is available online for public comment through Dec. 31. The policy will then go through a revision period.

"Pertinent comments will be integrated and then it will come back for a second reading," Mosier said.

The dates for the second and third reading of the policy have not been set.

The Office Discipline Referral Policy and Guidelines Committee was comprised of the Nalley, representing the Board; Arlotto as the designee of the Superintendent; a representative from the Anne Arundel Citizen Advisory Committee; and two representatives each from the Anne Arundel County Council of PTAs, the Teachers Association of Anne Arundel County and the Association of Educational Leaders, according to the AACPS website.

Editor's note: This story has been revised. An earlier version stated incorrectly the district Eugene Peterson represents. He is the representative for District 21.