Level I: Major Offenses
Examples (not inclusive list):
- Being in an unauthorized area
- Computer system violations
- Disrespect of school staff and persons in authority
- Failure to complete assigned homework
- Failure to comply with school dress code policies
- Failure to comply with directives of school staff (insubordination)
- Failure to leave campus within 30 minutes of school dismissal (unless involved in an activity under the supervision of school staff)
- Failure to report known hazing, harassment, or bullying of students
- Hazing, harassment, or bullying of students (verbal)
- Inappropriate behavior (not abusive, threatening, violent)
- Inappropriate public display of affection
- Inappropriate physical contact not defined as a Level II, Level III, or Level IV offense
- Insensitivity to others
- Parking infraction
- Persistent tardiness (tardy, without excuse, on four or more days within a period of 45 rolling school days)
- Possessing any electronic devices without permission
- Possessing matches, lighters, etc.
- Skipping or not attending class, detention, tutorial sessions, Saturday school, or extended day
- Using a skateboard, scooter, and/ or roller blades while on campus
- Using any telecommunications or other electronic devices, without permission, during school hours
- Vehicle operation infraction
Appropriate Disciplinary Actions:
- Behavioral contracts or individually developed behavior management plans
- Classroom management techniques
- Community service
- Cooling-off time or “time-out”
- Counseling by teachers or Campus Director
- Demerits
- Detention
- Fee for the return of telecommunications device that has been confiscated
- In-school suspension up to 30 days
- Parent contracts to restrict home privileges
- Parent observations in student’s classes
- Parent conference with teacher or Campus Director
- Peer mediation
- Placement in another appropriate classroom
- Restitution/restoration, if applicable
- Saturday school
- Seating changes within the classroom
- Temporary or permanent confiscation of items that are prohibited and/or disrupt the educational process
- Withdrawal of privileges, such as parking privileges, participation in extracurricular activities, eligibility for seeking and holding honorary offices, membership in school- recognized clubs or organizations, etc.
Disciplinary actions may be used individually or in combination for any offense.
No employee or agent of the school shall cause corporal punishment to be inflicted upon a student to reform unacceptable conduct or as a consequence for unacceptable conduct.
Level II: Discretionary Suspension
Examples (not inclusive list):
- Academic dishonesty
- Being a member of, pledging to become a member of, joining, or soliciting another person to join, or pledge to become a member of a school fraternity, sorority, secret society, or gang, as defined in TEC 37.121
- Bypassing of internet blocks on school computers or networks to enter unapproved sites
- Causing an individual to act through the use of or threat of force (coercion)
- Engaging in conduct on campus that constitutes dating violence, including intentional use of physical, sexual, verbal, or emotional abuse to harm, threaten, intimidate, or control another person with whom the student has or has had a dating relationship
- Engaging in conduct that constitutes sexual harassment (verbal and/or physical)
- Engaging in offensive conduct of a sexual nature (verbal or physical)
- Extortion/blackmail
- Failure to comply with conditions of in- school suspension placement
- Failure to comply with school medication policies
- False accusation of conduct that would constitute a misdemeanor or felony
- Falsification of school records
- Fighting/mutual combat
- Gambling
- Gang activity (nonviolent)
- Hazing, harassment, or bullying of students (physical)
- Inappropriate behavior (e.g., violent; threat of being violent; threat of self-harm; racially, ethnically, or culturally motivated actions)
- Interference with school activities or discipline
- Leaving classroom, school property, or school- sponsored events without permission
- Making an obscene gesture
- Persistent Level I offenses (two Level I offenses within a period of 45 rolling school days)
- Possessing ammunition
- Possessing paraphernalia related to any prohibited substance
- Possessing or using fireworks or other explosive devices
- Possessing tobacco or tobacco products or items such as e-cigarettes or electronic vaporizing devices
- Possessing or abusing over-the-counter drugs in violation of school policy
- Possessing, viewing, or distributing pictures, text messages, e-mails, or other material of a sexual or inappropriate nature in any media format, including but not limited to cell phones
- Posting inappropriate or disparaging remarks, pictures, videos, or links to any ResponsiveEd-managed social media site
- Any unauthorized recording, taping, or photographing students or staff
- Refusing to allow student search
- Sexual harassment/sexual abuse not defined as a Level III or IV offense
- Theft
- Threats (nonviolent/verbal or written), including those initiated through social media, or other electronic forms, made outside of the campus setting for action or threat of action to be taken while on campus
- Throwing object not considered an illegal weapon that can cause bodily injury or property damage
- Unruly, disruptive, or abusive behavior that interferes with the teacher’s ability to communicate effectively with the students in the class
- Use of profanity or vulgar/offensive language (orally or in writing)
- Using the internet or other electronic communications to threaten students or employees, or cause disruption to the school program
- Verbal or written abuse (e.g., name calling, racial or ethnic slurs, or derogatory statements that may disrupt the school environment, etc.)
- Willful destruction of school or personal property and/or vandalism
- Self-harm, including but not limited to severe scratching, branding, cutting, self-hitting, burning, and biting
- Making false accusations or perpetrating hoaxes regarding school or student safety
- Refusing to allow lawful student search
Appropriate Disciplinary Actions:
- Level I disciplinary techniques
- Out-of-school suspension for up to three days
Disciplinary actions may be used individually or in combination for any offense.
Level III: Mandatory Suspension and Discretionary Expulsion
Examples (not inclusive list):
- Any offense listed in Sections 37.006(a) or 37.007(b) of the TEC, no matter when or where the offense takes place
- Burglary of a motor vehicle on campus
- Conduct punishable as a felony not defined as a Level IV offense
- Criminal mischief against school, student, or school staff
- Deliberate destruction of or tampering with school computer data or networks
- Disruptive activity (see “Disruptive Activity,” p. 51)
- Gang activity (violent)
- Inappropriate exposure of body parts
- Inappropriate sexual conduct
- Persistent Level I offenses (four Level I offenses within a period of 45 rolling school days)
- Persistent Level II offenses (two Level II offenses within a period of 45 rolling school days)
- Possessing a knife, razor, box cutter, or chain
- Possessing any object used in a way that threatens or inflicts bodily injury to another person
- Possessing a look-alike weapon, including without limitation, BB guns, CO2 guns, air pistols or rifles, pellet guns, or any other device designed to appear to be a firearm or other weapon
- Possessing a stun gun, mace, or pepper spray
- Possessing, selling, distributing, or under the influence of a Harmful Drug (see “Harmful Drugs,” p. 53)
- Posting any vulgar, grossly inappropriate or illegal remarks, pictures, videos, or links on any ResponsiveEd-managed social media site
- Setting or attempting to set a fire on a school property (not arson)
- Targeting someone for bodily harm
- Threats (violent/verbal or written)
- Engaging in bullying that encourages a student to commit or attempt to commit suicide; incites violence against a student through group bullying; or releases or threatens to release intimate visual material of a minor or a student who is 18 years or older without the student’s consent
- Possessing, selling, distributing or under the influence of alcohol (see “Alcoholic Beverages,” p. 49)
- Threats (violent/verbal or written), including those initiated through social media or other electronic forms, made outside of the campus setting for action or threat of action to be taken while on campus or toward another student
- Selling paraphernalia related to any prohibited substance
- Possessing or selling “look-alike” drugs or attempting to pass items off as drugs or prohibited items
- Using, selling, or giving to another student any form of tobacco or tobacco products or items such as e-cigarettes or electronic vaporizing devices, and smokeless tobacco, including chewing tobacco
- Possessing prescription drugs, giving a prescription drug to another student, or possessing or being under the influence of another person’s prescription drug
Appropriate Disciplinary Actions:
- Out-of-school suspension for up to three days
- Expulsion
Level IV: Mandatory Expulsion
Examples (not inclusive list):
- Any offense listed in Section 37.007(a) and (d) of the TEC, no matter when or where the offense takes place
- Required to register as a sex offender
Appropriate Disciplinary Actions:
- Expulsion