LEVEL 1

These responses are designed to teach appropriate behavior, so students are respectful, and can learn, and contribute to a safe environment. Teachers are encouraged to try a variety of teaching and classroom management strategies. When appropriate, teachers may engage the student’s support system to ensure successful learning and consistency of responses, and change the conditions that contribute to the student’s inappropriate or disruptive behavior. Responses taken may include, but are not limited to: parent/legal guardian outreach (contact parent/legal guardian via phone, email, or text); verbal correction; conference with school resource officer; or restitution.

LEVEL 3

These responses engage the student’s support system to ensure successful learning, and to alter conditions that contribute to the student’s inappropriate or disruptive behavior. These responses aim to correct behavior by stressing its severity and acknowledging potential implications for future harm, while still keeping the student in school. These responses may involve the short-term removal of a student from the classroom. Such a removal should be limited as much as practical without undermining its ability to adequately address the behavior. Responses taken may include, but are not limited to the In-School Intervention Center.

All Responses from Levels 1 and  2 and these additional responses below: 

• • Bus Suspension

  • In-School intervention (ISI)

  • Pupil Services Team (PST) meeting

  • IEP review (students with and IEP)

  • Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP) /Functional Behavioral Assessment (FBA)

LEVEL 5

These responses remove a student from the school environment for an extended period of time because of the severity of the behavior and potential implications for future harm. They may involve the placement of the student in a safe environment that provides additional structure and services. These responses promote the safety of the school community by addressing self- destructive and dangerous behavior. Responses taken may include, but are not limited to: long- term out-of-school suspension (4-10 days); extended-term out-of-school suspension* (11-44 days); or expulsion.*

* As determined by the hearing officer

All Responses from Levels 1, 2, 3 and 4 and these additional responses below:

• • Long-Term Suspension, 4-10 days-possible disciplinary conference with Student Services

  • Alternative Placement

  • Police contacted, possible student arrest (where applicable)

  • Extended suspension or expulsion (if disciplinary conference in Student Services)

Required reporting to law enforcement

School administrators are required to report delinquent acts to law enforcement (offenses committed by a person under the age of 18 which would be crimes if committed by an adult (COMAR 13A.08.01.15).  This includes incidents involving threats, possession of weapons, or physical injury.  Delinquent acts do not include conduct or behaviors traditionally treated as a matter of school discipline.  Incidents of disorderly conduct, disturbance, disruption of schools, trespass, loitering, profanity, and fighting that does not involve threats, weapons, or physical injury are considered school disciplinary issues to be handled at the discretion of the school administrator.  Refer to the Memorandum of Understanding with the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office.