14 Del. Admin. Code § 616-7.0 - Assignment to an Alternative Program

7.1 Procedures for Student Referral

7.1.1 Criteria for student referral to an Alternative Placement.

7.1.1.1 A Principal may refer a student for Alternative Placement for any severe disciplinary violation for which Alternative Placement may be a consequence as specified in the district/charter school Student Code of Conduct and the student's behavior is within the defined conduct under 14 DE Admin. Code 614.

7.1.1.2 A Principal may refer a student for Alternative Placement for any offense listed in 14 Del.C. § 4112. Students ineligible as a result of an offense listed in 14 DE Admin. Code 611 shall not be referred to a Consortium Discipline Alternative Program.

7.1.1.3 A Principal may refer a student for Alternative Placement in conjunction with an Attorney General's Report or court disposition that indicates that the student has been charged with a Violent Felony and/or is a threat to the health, safety, and welfare of others within the School Environment. Students ineligible as a result of an offense listed in 14 DE Admin Code 611 shall not be referred to a Consortium Discipline Alternative Program.

7.1.1.4 A Principal may refer a student for Alternative Placement in conjunction with chronic disruptive behaviors which result in Repeated Violations of the Student Code of Conduct after all school-based best practice interventions have been put into place for said student. This may include, but is not limited to, counseling services, the development and implementation of a behavior support or modification plan, mentoring, referral to mediation, and participation in an available In-School Alternative Program.

7.1.1.5 Referral to a state funded Consortium Discipline Alternative Program must also meet the criteria set forth in 14 DE Admin. Code 611.

7.1.1.5.1 A referral of a charter school student to a Consortium Discipline Alternative Program shall also comply with the provisions of 14 Del.C. § 504A (8).

7.2 Responsibilities for Student Referral Which May Lead to Alternative Program Placement

7.2.1 When it is alleged that a student committed a violation of the Student Code of Conduct and may be subject to a recommendation for Alternative Placement, the following procedures shall occur:

7.2.1.1 The Principal shall conduct a preliminary investigation pursuant to Section 3.0 of this regulation to determine if there is reasonable basis to pursue Disciplinary Action.

7.2.1.2 If the preliminary investigation verifies that Disciplinary Action may be warranted, initial due process procedures outlined in Section 4.0 of this regulation shall be followed.

7.2.1.3 After the student has been afforded initial due process procedures, and if the Principal decides that Disciplinary Action will be taken, the student and Parent shall be notified.

7.2.1.4 The Principal may impose a Short-term Suspension. If the student is suspended, the student and the Parent shall be provided a copy of a Suspension form that includes a written notice of the Student Code of Conduct violation(s).

7.2.1.5 If the Principal decides that the Disciplinary Action should be a referral for an Alternative Placement, the Principal shall compile an Alternative Placement Packet for the student. The Alternative Placement Packet may also include other relevant information at the discretion of the Principal.

7.2.1.5.1 Schools/charters which utilize a site-based School Discipline Committee may have the committee meet to discuss the incident and make a recommendation to the Principal for the student to remain in the current school setting, or for referral to an Alternative Program.

7.2.1.6 A charter school Principal shall verify that the Alternative Placement referral meets the conditions set forth in 14 Del.C. § 504A (8).

7.2.1.7 For all referrals for Alternative Placement for a general education or special education student, the Principal shall hold a Building Level Conference with the Parent and the student.

7.2.1.7.1 The Principal shall explain to the Parent and the student the purpose of the meeting is to inform them:

1) of the referral for Alternative Placement;

2) that the student may be suspended pending the outcome of the district/charter school Alternative Placement Team Meeting and;

3) of the procedures that will take place as follow-up to the referral for Alternative Placement.

7.2.1.7.2 The conference shall be held by phone or in person.

7.2.1.7.3 The Principal shall have at least one other person present to take notes during the conference or shall have the conference audio recorded.

7.2.1.8 Notice of the Alternative Placement Meeting shall be mailed to the Parent and the student via regular U.S. and certified mail at least five business days before the meeting is to occur.

7.3 Alternative Placement Meeting for Districts/Charter Schools

7.3.1 A district/charter school Alternative Placement Meeting shall take place to determine if an alternative setting is appropriate for a referred student.

7.3.1.1 The Parent and student shall receive verbal and written notification of the district/charter school's Alternative Placement Meeting. Parents and student may, but are not required to, attend the meeting.

7.3.1.2 The Parent and student shall be informed of the district/charter school Alternative Placement Team's decision for placement within one (1) business day of the meeting.

7.3.1.2.1 If the decision is to assign to an Alternative Placement, the Superintendent shall send follow-up written notice within three (3) business days to the Parent describing the circumstances which led to the placement, identifying the Alternative Program to which the student is being assigned, and the conditions which must be met in order for the student to return to the Regular School Program.

7.4 Student Assignment to an Alternative Program

7.4.1 The district/charter school representative shall contact the selected Alternative Program to set up a date and time for an Intake Meeting.

7.4.1.1 The Intake Meeting shall not occur unless all required participants are present, unless excused by the Superintendent, and documentation from the Alternative Placement Packet is provided.

7.4.1.1.1 Participants required to be present at the Intake Meeting include, but are not limited to, the student, the Parent, a district/charter school representative, the Alternative Program administrator, and other appropriate Alternative Program staff.

7.4.1.2 A student assigned to a Consortium Discipline Alternative Program must be registered in a district/charter school before the Intake Meeting is held.

7.4.1.3 The Intake Meeting will include the completion of necessary forms, including the Intake Form, which requires student and Parent signatures.

7.4.1.4 During the Intake Meeting, the district/charter school representative shall communicate, to all in attendance, the district/charter school's individualized goals and expectations for the alternatively placed student, including the Individualized Service Plan (ISP) under 14 DE Admin. Code 611, if applicable. The individualized goals and expectations shall be recorded on the Intake Form.

7.4.1.4.1 The Intake Form shall be signed by all parties, copied and distributed to the student and Parent, Alternative Program administrator, and district/charter school representative and shall become part of the student's educational record as defined by 14 DE Admin. Code 252.

7.4.2 The district/charter school shall maintain all alternatively placed students' enrollment status in Delaware Student Identification System (DELSIS) and eSchool PLUS database systems or successor Delaware Department of Education approved student database management system. A student placed in a Consortium Discipline Alternative Program shall have both an "active" and "service" status designation in DELSIS.

Notes

14 Del. Admin. Code § 616-7.0

20 DE Reg. 277 (10/1/2016) (Final)