(1) School districts should make efforts to have suspended or expelled students return to an educational setting as soon as possible. School districts must convene a meeting with the student and the student's parents or guardians within twenty days of the student's long-term suspension or expulsion, but no later than five days before the student's reentry or enrollment, to discuss a plan to reengage the student in a school program. Families must have access to, provide meaningful input on, and have the opportunity to participate in a culturally sensitive and culturally responsive reengagement plan. (2) In developing a reengagement plan, school districts should consider shortening the length of time that the student is suspended or expelled, other forms of corrective action, and supportive interventions that aid in the student's academic success and keep the student engaged and on track to graduate. School districts must create a reengagement plan tailored to the student's individual circumstances, including consideration of the incident that led to the student's long-term suspension or expulsion. The plan should aid the student in taking the necessary steps to remedy the situation that led to the student's suspension or expulsion. (3) Any reengagement meetings conducted by the school district involving the suspended or expelled student and his or her parents or guardians are not intended to replace a petition for readmission.

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;

(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:

• (j) Provide for reengagement meetings and plans, consistent with WAC 392-400-710;

(5) Reentry. After suspending or expelling a student, a school district must:

• (a) Make reasonable efforts to return the student to the student's regular educational setting as soon as possible.
• (b) Allow the student to petition for readmission at any time.

(1) Reengagement meeting. When a school district administers a long-term suspension or expulsion, the district must convene a reengagement meeting with the student and parents to discuss a plan to reengage the student. Before convening a reengagement meeting, a school district must communicate with the student and parents to schedule the meeting time and location. The reengagement meeting must occur:

• (a) Within twenty calendar days of the start of the student's long-term suspension or expulsion, but no later than five calendar days before the student returns to school; or
• (b) As soon as reasonably possible, if the student or parents request a prompt reengagement meeting.

(2) Reengagement plan. The school district must collaborate with the student and parents to develop a culturally sensitive and culturally responsive reengagement plan tailored to the student's individual circumstances to support the student in successfully returning to school. In developing a reengagement plan, the school district must consider:

• (a) The nature and circumstances of the incident that led to the student's suspension or expulsion;
• (b) As appropriate, students' cultural histories and contexts, family cultural norms and values, community resources, and community and parent outreach;
• (c) Shortening the length of time that the student is suspended or expelled;
• (d) Providing academic and nonacademic supports that aid in the student's academic success and keep the student engaged and on track to graduate; and
• (e) Supporting the student, parents, or school personnel in taking action to remedy the circumstances that resulted in the suspension or expulsion and preventing similar circumstances from recurring.

(3) Documentation. The school district must document the reengagement plan and provide a copy of the plan to the student and parents.

(4) Language assistance. The school district must ensure that the reengagement meeting and plan are in a language the student and parents understand, which may require language assistance for students and parents with limited-English proficiency under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

(5) Student and parent rights. Reengagement meetings do not replace an appeal hearing under WAC 392-400-465 or a petition for readmission.