Illinois schools to change student discipline actions

CARBONDALE, Ill. (AP) - Schools throughout Illinois are scrambling to find alternative ways to discipline students ahead of new requirements.

Gov. Bruce Rauner signed into law last year reforms that prohibit zero-tolerance policies within schools. The Southern Illinoisan (http://bit.ly/29nVRjn ) reports that the bill goes into effect Sept. 15.

School leaders have begun looking into alternative methods of discipline in schools. Students will face relaxed policies on suspension and expulsion, which can only be implemented for up to three days as a result of harm or danger.

Carbondale Community High School principal Daniel Booth said new policies for schools lift restrictions on disciplinary actions giving students access to classroom and homework assignments missed during their suspension.

District 95 superintendent Michael Shimshack has introduced a program for the district's schools that meets the bill's requirements and limits altercations between students, teachers and even parents.

Under the program, established at Carbondale Middle School, teachers can refer students for disciplinary actions, including a discussion with the student concerning their behavior, an opportunity for the student to express their emotions that lead to their disruption and a brainstorming session for the student to consider alternative ways to prevent future disruptive behaviors.

Tammy Holmes, counseling department and support instructor at Carbondale Middle School, said the intent of the program is to create a positive school climate, with less academic time correcting negative behaviors.

"We go into the classrooms with small circles which children become more comfortable with communicating and speaking to help resolve conflicts and issues," Holmes said.

Other schools in the region, such as Sesser-Valier Community, are considering restorative practices as well.

District 196 superintendent Jason Henry said the district plans to start the school year with an adjustment to its policies to be compliant with the new statute. Henry said officials are looking into what interventions they already have in place that possibly haven't been used for discipline. He said that they want to find a way to inject a more positive intervention for students.

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Information from: Southern Illinoisan, http://www.southernillinoisan.com