Outline of the state of Connecticut
State
Connecticut
Discourages Use

Category
Limits on Exclusionary Discipline

Category
Limits on Exclusionary Discipline

State law discourages district use of zero tolerance approaches and encourages school administrator discretion in determining sanctions for violations of school policy.

General Statutes of Connecticut Sec. 10-233c. Suspension of pupils.

(g) On and after July 1, 2015, all suspensions pursuant to this section shall be in-school suspensions, except a local or regional board of education may authorize the administration of schools under its direction to impose an out-of-school suspension on any pupil in (1) grades three to twelve, inclusive, if, during the hearing held pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, (A) the administration determines that the pupil being suspended poses such a danger to persons or property or such a disruption of the educational process that the pupil shall be excluded from school during the period of suspension, or (B) the administration determines that an out-of-school suspension is appropriate for such pupil based on evidence of (i) previous disciplinary problems that have led to suspensions or expulsion of such pupil, and (ii) efforts by the administration to address such disciplinary problems through means other than out-of-school suspension or expulsion, including positive behavioral support strategies, or (2) grades preschool to two, inclusive, if during the hearing held pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, the administration determines that an out-of-school suspension is appropriate for such pupil based on evidence that such pupil’s conduct on school grounds is of a violent or sexual nature that endangers persons. An in-school suspension may be served in the school that the pupil attends, or in any school building under the jurisdiction of the local or regional board of education, as determined by such board. Nothing in this section shall limit a person’s duty as a mandated reporter pursuant to section 17-101a to report suspected child abuse or neglect.

Policy Type
Statute

General Statutes of Connecticut Sec. 10-233c. Suspension of pupils.

(g) On and after July 1, 2015, all suspensions pursuant to this section shall be in-school suspensions, except a local or regional board of education may authorize the administration of schools under its direction to impose an out-of-school suspension on any pupil in (1) grades three to twelve, inclusive, if, during the hearing held pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, (A) the administration determines that the pupil being suspended poses such a danger to persons or property or such a disruption of the educational process that the pupil shall be excluded from school during the period of suspension, or (B) the administration determines that an out-of-school suspension is appropriate for such pupil based on evidence of (i) previous disciplinary problems that have led to suspensions or expulsion of such pupil, and (ii) efforts by the administration to address such disciplinary problems through means other than out-of-school suspension or expulsion, including positive behavioral support strategies, or (2) grades preschool to two, inclusive, if during the hearing held pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, the administration determines that an out-of-school suspension is appropriate for such pupil based on evidence that such pupil’s conduct on school grounds is of a violent or sexual nature that endangers persons. An in-school suspension may be served in the school that the pupil attends, or in any school building under the jurisdiction of the local or regional board of education, as determined by such board. Nothing in this section shall limit a person’s duty as a mandated reporter pursuant to section 17-101a to report suspected child abuse or neglect.

Policy Type
Statute

General Statutes of Connecticut Sec. 10-233c. Suspension of pupils.

(g) On and after July 1, 2015, all suspensions pursuant to this section shall be in-school suspensions, except a local or regional board of education may authorize the administration of schools under its direction to impose an out-of-school suspension on any pupil in (1) grades three to twelve, inclusive, if, during the hearing held pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, (A) the administration determines that the pupil being suspended poses such a danger to persons or property or such a disruption of the educational process that the pupil shall be excluded from school during the period of suspension, or (B) the administration determines that an out-of-school suspension is appropriate for such pupil based on evidence of (i) previous disciplinary problems that have led to suspensions or expulsion of such pupil, and (ii) efforts by the administration to address such disciplinary problems through means other than out-of-school suspension or expulsion, including positive behavioral support strategies, or (2) grades preschool to two, inclusive, if during the hearing held pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, the administration determines that an out-of-school suspension is appropriate for such pupil based on evidence that such pupil’s conduct on school grounds is of a violent or sexual nature that endangers persons. An in-school suspension may be served in the school that the pupil attends, or in any school building under the jurisdiction of the local or regional board of education, as determined by such board. Nothing in this section shall limit a person’s duty as a mandated reporter pursuant to section 17-101a to report suspected child abuse or neglect.

Policy Type
Statute

General Statutes of Connecticut Sec. 10-233c. Suspension of pupils.

(g) On and after July 1, 2015, all suspensions pursuant to this section shall be in-school suspensions, except a local or regional board of education may authorize the administration of schools under its direction to impose an out-of-school suspension on any pupil in (1) grades three to twelve, inclusive, if, during the hearing held pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, (A) the administration determines that the pupil being suspended poses such a danger to persons or property or such a disruption of the educational process that the pupil shall be excluded from school during the period of suspension, or (B) the administration determines that an out-of-school suspension is appropriate for such pupil based on evidence of (i) previous disciplinary problems that have led to suspensions or expulsion of such pupil, and (ii) efforts by the administration to address such disciplinary problems through means other than out-of-school suspension or expulsion, including positive behavioral support strategies, or (2) grades preschool to two, inclusive, if during the hearing held pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, the administration determines that an out-of-school suspension is appropriate for such pupil based on evidence that such pupil’s conduct on school grounds is of a violent or sexual nature that endangers persons. An in-school suspension may be served in the school that the pupil attends, or in any school building under the jurisdiction of the local or regional board of education, as determined by such board. Nothing in this section shall limit a person’s duty as a mandated reporter pursuant to section 17-101a to report suspected child abuse or neglect.

Policy Type
Statute

Position Statement on Reducing Disproportionality in Suspensions and Expulsions

This position statement from the Connecticut State Board of Education states that exclusionary practices should be used as a last resort and provides guidelines to support school districts in approaching school discipline through a proactive and comprehensive system of supports.

Policy Type
Non-codified