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State education leaders will make changes to a set of proposals designed to shift student discipline practices in Maryland toward a more “rehabilitative” approach that would reduce suspensions, keep students in school and teach positive behavior. The Maryland State Board of Education voted unanimously Tuesday to withdraw proposed regulations and amend them in a way that officials said would not alter the spirit of the reforms but would address some complaints voiced in recent months.

The changes will revive regulatory language that recognizes “an environment of order and discipline necessary for effective learning” and add a preamble that points out the authority of local school boards to create district discipline policies.The board held firm in its emphasis on rehabilitative practices, as well as its revised definitions for out-of-school suspensions and its requirement that schools provide educational services for suspended students.

The U.S. Department of Education (ED), in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), today released a school discipline guidance package that will assist states, districts and schools in developing practices and strategies to enhance school climate, and ensure those policies and practices comply with federal law. Even though incidents of school violence have decreased overall, too many schools are still struggling to create positive, safe environments. Schools can improve safety by making sure that climates are welcoming and that responses to misbehavior are fair, non-discriminatory and effective. Each year, significant numbers of students miss class due to suspensions and expulsions—even for minor infractions of school rules—and students of color and with disabilities are disproportionately impacted. The guidance package provides resources for creating safe and positive school climates, which are essential for boosting student academic success and closing achievement gaps.

The main body of this report documents gross disparities in the use of out-of-school suspension experienced by students with disabilities and those from historically disadvantaged racial, ethnic, and gender subgroups. The egregious disparities revealed in the pages that follow transform concerns about educational policy that allows frequent disciplinary removal into a profound matter of civil rights and social justice. This implicates the potentially unlawful denial of educational opportunity and resultant disparate impact on students in numerous districts across the country.

Over the last two decades, many in the public have viewed the lack of discipline as one of the key problems facing public schools. How can educators find a balance between establishing order and creating a welcoming learning environment for students? To share their insights into this thorny issue, Education Week Commentary asked six thought leaders the question: What is the most effective approach for maintaining discipline and a positive climate in the public schools?

Suspension rates have more than doubled over the last three decades across all grade levels. At the same time, racial gaps have widened: Black students are three and a half times as likely to be suspended or expelled as their white peers, according to Department of Education data released earlier this spring. The Office for Civil Rights gathered the data from 72,000 schools in 7,000 districts, which educate approximately 85 percent of the country’s students.

Click here to download the flyer for more information!What:The Parent Group will offer resources, tools, strategies, and support, along with time for parents to share concerns and brainstorm ideas and a snack. Weekly topic examples: Bedtime struggles  /  building routines Helping your child organize Discipline strategies Melt downs Expectations for public settings Accepting who your child is Help your child ‘fit in’ academically, socially and emotionally Kids Fun Night will provide children with a place to interact socially with other kids, games and educational centers, a friendship circle to practice friendship skills, and a snack.When:Thursdays beginning January 19, 20126:00 pm - 7:30 pmWhere:Hamilton, MTSouth Valley Child and Family Center  515 W. MadisonContact:Doug Cochran-Roberts, Therapist [240-3510]                             Deb Ellingson, Former School Counselor [529-4893]               Kathy Cook, Retired Teacher [961-3951]                                  Carolyn Durgin, Para-educator [214-7031]Nicole Turner, Parent [381-8476]Kathy Molesh, Parent [531-3437]Louise Kingston, Parent [961-512]

You can register here starting March 19, 2012What:At the 2012 MBI Summer Instiute, you will have a chance to experience great speakers, while gaining knowledge on a variety of subjects, such as: Instructional strategies, integrated school mental health, positive school-wide behavior plans, creating school-wide discipline plans, among several others. When:June 18-22, 2012Where:Montana State University-BozemanContact:Susan Bailey-Anderson at 1-888-231-9393 ext. 2046Marcy Otten at 406-529-0774 Click here to view the Save the Date for more information!

Minority students across America face harsher discipline, have less access to rigorous high school curricula, and are more often taught by lower-paid and less experienced teachers, according to the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights (OCR).