Outline of the state of Washington
State
Washington
Required

Category
Family Engagement into Policymaking on School Discipline and Behavior Management

Category
Family Engagement into Policymaking on School Discipline and Behavior Management

State law requires parent or family member involvement in the development of student codes of conduct.

Revised Code of Washington 28A.320.211 Discipline policies procedures and rules—Dissemination of information—Use of disaggregated data—Review.

(3) School districts, in consultation with school district staff, students, families, and the community, shall periodically review and update their discipline rules, policies, and procedures.

Policy Type
Statute

Revised Code of Washington 28A.600.020 Exclusion of student from classroom—Written disciplinary procedures—Long-term suspension or expulsion.

(3) In order to preserve a beneficial learning environment for all students and to maintain good order and discipline in each classroom, every school district board of directors shall provide that written procedures are developed for administering discipline at each school within the district. Such procedures shall be developed with the participation of parents and the community, and shall provide that the teacher, principal or designee, and other authorities designated by the board of directors, make every reasonable attempt to involve the parent or guardian and the student in the resolution of student discipline problems. Such procedures shall provide that students may be excluded from their individual classes or activities for periods of time in excess of that provided in subsection (2) of this section if such students have repeatedly disrupted the learning of other students. The procedures must be consistent with the rules of the superintendent of public instruction and must provide for early involvement of parents in attempts to improve the student’s behavior.

Policy Type
Statute

Washington Administrative Code 392-400-010. Purpose

The purpose of this chapter is to ensure that school districts in Washington:

  • (3) Engage school personnel, students, parents, families, and the community in decisions related to the development and implementation of discipline policies and procedures;
Policy Type
Regulation

Washington Administrative Code 392-400-110 Discipline policies and procedures -- Development, review, and distribution.

(1) School district policies and procedures beginning in the 2019-20 school year. Before the commencement of the 2019-20 school year, a school district must adopt written policies and procedures for supporting students in meeting behavioral expectations and administering discipline in accordance with this chapter. The policies and procedures must:

  • (c) Provide for early involvement of parents in efforts to support students in meeting behavioral expectations;
  • (d) Provide that school personnel make every reasonable attempt to involve parents and students in the resolution of behavioral violations for which discipline may be administered;
  • (e) Identify other forms of discipline that school personnel should administer before or instead of administering classroom exclusion, suspension, or expulsion to support students in meeting behavioral expectations. Administering other forms of discipline may involve the use of best practices and strategies included in the state menu for behavior developed under RCW 28A.165.035;
  • (h) Establish grievance procedures to address parents' or students' grievances related to the administration of classroom exclusions and other forms of discipline, including discipline that excludes a student from transportation or extra-curricular activity. The procedures must, at a minimum, include an opportunity for the student to share the student's perspective and explanation regarding the behavioral violation;

(2) Development and review. A school district must develop and periodically review discipline policies and procedures with the participation of school personnel, students, parents, families, and the community. During the development and review of discipline policies and procedures, the school district must use disaggregated data collected under RCW 28A.300.042 to:

  • (a) Monitor the impact of the school district's discipline policies, procedures, and practices; and
  • (b) Update the school district's discipline policies and procedures to improve fairness and equity in the administration of discipline.
Policy Type
Regulation