Office of the Student Advocate releases new student discipline guide

For Immediate Release
March 27, 2019

Contact: Tiffany Wilson, Program Associate

Office of the Student Advocate releases new student discipline guide

Resource explains new rules under Student Fair Access to School Amendment Act of 2018

Washington, DC- Today, the Office of the Student Advocate is proud to release its District of Columbia Student Discipline Guide, a helpful resource created for students, families, and school staff that explains new rules that all public schools must follow under DC law. Developed in partnership with the Every Student, Every Day (ESED) Coalition and the Office of the Ombudsman for Public Education, this guide helps students and families understand their rights and provides a roadmap for how to challenge a disciplinary decision at school.

“Families often feel alone and overwhelmed when figuring out how to move forward when a school makes a discipline decision impacting their student,” said Chief Student Advocate Faith Gibson Hubbard. “We have noticed that families as well as schools are confused about not only the changes the law made to student discipline policies but also what the policy changes mean for their child.”

“Every day we receive calls from families who do not understand school laws and policies and when we engage with school staff and administrators, we often learn that they too misunderstand the same policies,” said Serena M. Hayes, Ombudsman for Public Education. “With a mutual and accurate understanding of new discipline laws, schools and families can better collaborate, as they strive to improve education outcomes for children. Our hope is that the Discipline Guide serves as a vital resource tool for families and schools.”

In September 2018, ESED Coalition began partnering with the Office of the Student Advocate to create a family-friendly “know your rights” resource for parents and families reflecting rights established in the Student Fair Access to School Act of 2018. The law, passed by the D.C. Council in May 2018, limits out-of-school suspension of students in kindergarten through eighth grade to serious safety incidents and bans its utilization in high school for minor offenses. If exclusion becomes necessary, the bill protects a child’s right to an education while they are off premises and requires a plan for the student to successfully return to the classroom.

Each District of Columbia Public School (DCPS) and public charter school must ensure its discipline policy falls in accordance with all relevant DC and federal laws. The student discipline guide arms parents and families with the tools to ensure their school is following the new policy. The guide highlights terms to know and breaks down organizational structures families and educators should understand, connecting families and educators to resources that can offer additional support as needed.

“This guide is another fantastic example of the Office of the Student Advocate’s leadership in ensuring that youth and families are not only well informed about their rights but also empowered to meaningfully engage in educational decisions that concern themselves or their children,” said Eduardo Ferrer, Policy Director, Georgetown Juvenile Justice Initiative. “We constantly hear from parents who are looking for ways to be more involved and to advocate more effectively on behalf of their children. This guide will help them do just that and we encourage everyone working with families in the District to share it widely.”

“At Children’s Law Center, we regularly serve youth who are sent home instead of receiving the educational supports they need to stay in school and continue learning,” said Michael Villafranca, Policy Analyst, Children’s Law Center. “That’s why we proudly partnered with the Office of the Student Advocate in the creation and promotion of this student discipline guide. Our hope is that more caregivers will learn about the rights and protections established through the Student Fair Access to School legislation and are able to successfully advocate so their children have the necessary school resources to succeed.”

The District of Columbia Student Discipline Guide can be accessed online and will be available in print within the next few weeks.

About the Office of the Student Advocate

The Office of the Student Advocate, an independent office within the DC State Board of Education, supports students, parents, and families in their advocacy through parent education, one-on-one coaching, resource supports, and trainings in order to amplify the voices of families and communities in processes and decision-making; to provide avenues for access to resources and understanding systems; and to support power families and communities already possess. For more information about the office’s upcoming events or resource supports, call 202-741-4692, email student.advocate@dc.gov, or visit the office’s website at studentadvocate.dc.gov.