Schools across Illinois are making policy changes to adapt to a new law aimed at decreasing expulsions and suspensions statewide. Districts can no longer institute “zero tolerance” policies requiring suspensions or expulsions, unless otherwise required by federal laws in cases such as bringing a gun into a school, though it could still be an option.
Specific criteria include:
• Suspensions 1-3 days – Students must pose a threat to school safety or a disruption to other students’ learning opportunities.
• Suspensions 4+ days, expulsions, referrals to alternate schools – All other appropriate and available behavioral and disciplinary interventions have been exhausted, and students would pose a threat to safety or substantially disrupt other students’ learning opportunities.
Read more about the new laws over at My Suburban Life.