Tennessee Compilation of School Discipline Laws and ...

[Pages:95]Tennessee Compilation of School

Discipline Laws and Regulations

Prepared: March 31, 2021

Introduction

This compilation presents school discipline-related laws and regulations for U.S. states, U.S. territories, and the District of Columbia, and, where available, links to education agency websites or resources related to school discipline and student conduct. The discipline laws and regulations presented in this compilation have been categorized by type of specific discipline issue covered, according to an organizational framework developed by the National Center for Safe and Supportive Learning Environments (NCSSLE). For example, one major category encompasses all laws or regulations governing states or territories that mandate specific disciplinary sanctions (such as suspension) for specific offenses (such as drug possession on school grounds). The school discipline laws and regulations were compiled through exhaustive searches of legislative websites that identified all laws and regulations relevant to each specific category. Compiled materials were subsequently reviewed by state education agency (SEA) representatives in the 50 states, Washington D.C., and the U.S. territories.

Discipline categories were not mutually exclusive. Laws and regulations often appeared across multiple categories. For jurisdictions with more extensive laws covering a breadth of topical areas, relevant sections were excerpted from the larger legislative text for inclusion in the appropriate discipline category. Laws, ordered by chapter and section number, appear first within each category followed by regulations. All laws and regulations listed within categories in the compilation also appear in the sources cited section of the document, which lists laws by chapter and section number and title, and where available, includes active hyperlinks to source websites supported or maintained by state legislatures. Additional links to government websites or resources are provided at the end of this document.

Notes & Disclaimers

To the best of the preparer's knowledge, this Compilation of School Discipline Laws and Regulations is complete and current as of March 2021. Readers should also note that the information in this document was compiled from individual sources that are created by each jurisdiction and which are maintained and updated with varying frequencies. Readers should consult the source information provided directly in order to check for updates to laws and regulations reported in this document or to conduct further research.

For further information, including definitions of the different policy categories, please refer to the Discipline Laws and Regulations Compendium posted on the Center's website.

Prepared by:

Child Trends 7315 Wisconsin Avenue Suite 1200W Bethesda, Maryland 20814

EMT Associates, Inc. 1631 Creekside Drive Suite 100 Folsom, California 95630

Table of Contents

Tennessee State Codes Cited.................................................................................................................... 1

Codes of Conduct ....................................................................................................................................... 5 Authority to Develop and Establish Codes of Conduct ............................................................................. 5 Scope ........................................................................................................................................................ 7 Communication of Policy........................................................................................................................... 8

In-School Discipline .................................................................................................................................. 10 Discipline Frameworks ............................................................................................................................ 10 Teacher Authority to Remove Students From Classrooms .................................................................... 11 Alternatives to Suspension...................................................................................................................... 12

Conditions on Use of Certain Forms of Discipline ................................................................................ 14 Corporal Punishment .............................................................................................................................. 14 Search and Seizure................................................................................................................................. 16 Restraint and Seclusion .......................................................................................................................... 18

Exclusionary Discipline: Suspension, Expulsion, and Alternative Placement .................................. 26 Grounds for Suspension or Expulsion..................................................................................................... 26 Limitations or Conditions on Exclusionary Discipline .............................................................................. 27 Due Process ............................................................................................................................................ 28 Return to School Following Removal ...................................................................................................... 30 Alternative Placements ........................................................................................................................... 31

Discipline Addressing Specific Code of Conduct Violations ............................................................... 38 Firearms and Other Weapons Violations ................................................................................................ 38 Students with Chronic Disciplinary Issues .............................................................................................. 40 Chronic Absenteeism and Truancy ......................................................................................................... 41 Substance Use ........................................................................................................................................ 46 Gang-related Activity ............................................................................................................................... 51 Bullying, Harassment, or Hazing ............................................................................................................. 52 Dating and Relationship Violence ........................................................................................................... 57

Prevention, Behavioral Intervention, and Supports .............................................................................. 59 State Model Policies and Implementation Support ................................................................................. 59 Multi-tiered Frameworks and Systems of Support .................................................................................. 61 Prevention ............................................................................................................................................... 61 Social-emotional Learning (SEL) ............................................................................................................ 62 Trauma-informed Practices ..................................................................................................................... 64 Mental Health Literacy Training .............................................................................................................. 65 School-based Behavioral Health Programs ............................................................................................ 67

Monitoring and Accountability ................................................................................................................ 71 Formal Incident Reporting of Conduct Violations.................................................................................... 71 Parental Notification ................................................................................................................................ 74 Data Collection, Review, and Reporting of Discipline Policies and Actions ........................................... 77

Partnerships between Schools and Law Enforcement ......................................................................... 80 Referrals to Law Enforcement................................................................................................................. 80 School Resource Officer (SRO) or School Security Officer (SSO) Training or Certification .................. 81 Authorizations, Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs), and/or Funding................................................ 82 Threat Assessment Protocols ................................................................................................................. 86

State-Sponsored, Publicly Available Websites or Other Resources on School Discipline .............. 89

Tennessee State Codes Cited

Tennessee Revised Laws

The State of Tennessee contracts with LexisNexis to provide free public access to the Tennessee Code (). Users must agree to terms and conditions prior to use of the site. All listed laws are searchable by title and chapter number or by using key search terms.

Title 39. Criminal Offenses

Chapter 8. Employment and Training of Police Officers

Part 1. General Provisions

38-8-120.

School policing

Chapter 17. Offenses Against Public Health, Safety and Welfare

Part 3. Disorderly Conduct and Riots

39-17-308.

Harassment

Title 49. Education

Chapter 1. State Administration

Part 2. Department of Education

49-1-211. 49-1-213. 49-1-214. 49-1-230.

Annual report by commissioner Technical assistance Safe schools - Advisory guidelines Development of training programs for adverse childhood experiences

Chapter 2. Local Administration

Part 1. General Provisions

49-2-115. 49-2-118. 49-2-120. 49-2-124.

Family resource centers Conflict resolution intervention programs Prohibition against hazing Universal mental health or socioemotional screening

Part 2. Boards of Education

49-2-203.

Duties and powers

Part 3. County Administration

49-2-305.

Development and adoption of program to promote involvement of parents and guardians

Chapter 6. Elementary and Secondary Education

Part 3. Elementary, Middle and Secondary Schools Generally

49-6-303.

School counselors

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Part 8. Schools Against Violence in Education (SAVE) Act

49-6-805. 49-6-809.

49-6-812. 49-6-815.

Template minimum requirements Policy authorizing off-duty law enforcement officers to serve as armed school security officers -Memorandum of understanding - List of qualified officers - Funding - Report Consistency with harassment and bullying policies People permitted to possess and carry a firearm on school grounds

Part 10. Curriculum Generally

49-6-1007. 49-6-1017. 49-6-1028.

49-6-1035.

Character education Sexual violence awareness curriculum Legislative findings - Public school courses and content to educate children in the United States and Tennessee governments Domestic violence awareness education programs

Part 12. Junior and Senior High Schools - Curriculum

49-6-1201.

General provisions

Part 24. Tennessee Community Schools Act

49-6-2403. 49-6-2404.

Part definitions Authority to form community consortiums to establish community schools - Centers of communities - Designation of individual to lead implementation of programming Eligibility for community school grant

Part 27. Threat Assessment

49-6-2701. 49-6-2702.

49-6-2703.

Threat assessment team Request for law enforcement or court records upon determination that individual poses threat or exhibits significantly disruptive behavior or need for assistance - Use of information - Disclosure of student's education record Immunity of threat assessment team

Part 30. Attendance

49-6-3002.

49-6-3006. 49-6-3004. 49-6-3007.

49-6-3009.

49-6-3012. 49-6-3024.

State attendance guidelines - No penalty for period of hospital or homebound instruction Attendance supervisor School term List of students - Reports of attendance - Enforcement of compulsory attendance List of truant students Educational neglect - Progressive truancy intervention plans - Referral to juvenile court Truancy schools Review of laws and policies related to exclusionary discipline of students in prekindergarten through kindergarten

Part 34. Suspension of Students

49-6-3401. 49-6-3402. 49-6-3404. 49-6-3405.

Suspension of students - Expulsion of students - Exception for self-defense Alternative schools for suspended or expelled students - Mandated attendance Advisory council for alternative education Alternative school success

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Part 40. Student and Employee Safe Environment Act of 1996

49-6-4001. 49-6-4002. 49-6-4004. 49-6-4005.

49-6-4006. 49-6-4007. 49-6-4008. 49-6-4009.

Short title Discipline policy - Code of conduct Uniform and fair application of code of conduct Adoption of different but consistent discipline policies or codes of conduct applicable to different classes of schools Civil liability Posting and distribution of discipline policy or code of conduct Policy regarding teacher's ability to relocate student for safety reasons Student discipline code to include provision prohibiting indecent clothing

Part 41. School Discipline Act

49-6-4101. 49-6-4102. 49-6-4103. 49-6-4104. 49-6-4106. 49-6-4107. 49-6-4108. 49-6-4109.

Short title Students accountable for conduct Corporal punishment Rules and regulations Disciplinary referrals Use of reasonable force Report detailing use of corporal punishment required Trauma-informed discipline policy

Part 42. School Security Act of 1981

49-6-4202. 49-6-4203. 49-6-4204. 49-6-4205. 49-6-4206. 49-6-4207. 49-6-4208. 49-6-4209. 49-6-4210. 49-6-4213.

49-6-4215. 49-6-4217. 49-6-4219.

Part definitions Legislative intent Search of lockers, vehicles, and other property Search of students Policy authorizing school security officer to patrol Use of metal detectors Use of animals Report of reasonable suspicion by principal to law enforcement officer Disposal of contraband Testing of students for drugs - Referral information and assistance for students testing positive Activities of criminal gangs on school property - Promulgation of rules and regulations Employment standards for school resource officers Policy regulating use of electronic control devices

Part 43. Reporting Student Offenses

49-6-4301. 49-6-4302.

School officials to report student offenses Tennessee school safety center

Part 44. School Discipline in Special School Districts

49-6-4402. 49-6-4403. 49-6-4404.

Corporal punishment Rules and regulations Physical examination of student - Student's remedies

Part 45. Harassment, Intimidation, Bullying and Cyber-Bullying

49-6-4501. 49-6-4502.

Legislative findings - Safety and civility Part definitions

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49-6-4503. 49-6-4504. 49-6-4505. 49-6-4506.

Adoption of policy prohibiting harassment, intimidation, bullying or cyber-bullying by the school district Adoption of policy prohibiting harassment, intimidation, bullying or cyber-bullying by LEA Reprisal or retaliation prohibited - Reporting harassment, intimidation, bullying or cyber-bullying - Immunity from damages Task forces, programs or other initiatives

Part 70. Parent Educational Participation Act

49-6-7005.

Improving parental involvement in children's education

Chapter 10. Special Education

Part 13. Special Education Behavioral Supports Act

49-10-1301. 49-10-1302. 49-10-1303. 49-10-1304. 49-10-1305. 49-10-1306. 49-10-1307.

Short title Purpose of part Part definitions Isolation or restraint of student - Reports and record Restrictions on administration of, or use of, isolation or restraint Records of isolation and restraint - Reports - Promulgation of rules and regulations Training and reporting on the use of restraint and isolation

Tennessee Regulations Chapter 0520. Education Chapter 01. State Board of Education Rules, Regulations and Minimum Standards for the Operation of the Public School System

Chapter 0520-01-02. Administrative rules and regulations 0520-01-02-.09. Alternative Schools

0520-01-02-.17. State attendance guidelines Chapter 0520-01-09. Special Education Programs and Services 0520-01-09-.23. Isolation and restraint for students receiving special education services

Chapter 12. Department of Education Office of the Commissioner

Chapter 0520-12-01. Standards for School Administered Child Care Programs 0520-12-01-.14. Care of children with special needs

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