Progressive Discipline

Progressive Discipline

Policy/Program Memorandum No. 145 describes progressive discipline as the use of “a continuum of prevention programs, interventions, supports and consequences to address inappropriate student behaviour and to build upon strategies that foster positive behaviours. 

When inappropriate behaviour occurs, disciplinary measures should be applied within a framework that shifts the focus from one that is solely punitive to one that is both corrective and supportive. Schools should utilize a range of interventions, supports, and consequences that are developmentally appropriate and include learning opportunities for reinforcing positive behaviour while helping students to make good choices” (Ontario Ministry of Education, 2009g, p. 3). 

http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/general/elemsec/speced/Caring_Safe_School.pdf

School leaders and staff have two responsibilities:

• Assess student behaviour and the effectiveness of existing supports and interventions and
• Develop a response that takes account of mitigating circumstances and other factors that may have influenced the behaviour.

What are Mitigating Circumstances? 

Factors, identified in Ontario Regulation 472/07, “Suspension and Expulsion of Pupils”, that must be taken into account by a principal when considering whether to suspend or expel a student. The absence of risk to others in the school and/or the student’s inability to control his or her behaviour or understand the consequences of the behaviour are examples of mitigating factors. 

The goal of any school is to have a disciplinary system that maintains a safe and violence-free school, but still protects the human rights of all of our students. The introduction of the Mitigating Factors Regulation protects the rights of our students in need. A principal must consider the following factors when looking at the misbehaviour. 

• Does the student have the ability to control the behaviour? 
• Does the student have the ability to understand the foreseeable consequences of the behaviour? 
• Does the continuing presence of the child in the school create an unacceptable level of risk to the safety of any other person?

Making decisions regarding student discipline is not easy or taken lightly by any administrator. My number one question that I ask myself before making a decision regarding discipline is "What is going to change their behaviour?" Suspension is not my go to for discipline simply because most of the time suspending a student is not going to change the behaviour. Of course there is board policy that must be followed and sometimes you don't have a choice whether to suspend. 

Reducing the number of suspension does not always make you the favourite with staff. My response to that is lack of understanding. If you want someone to be on your side they need to know and understand your decision making. The following activities below will promote discussion, reflection and questions regarding progressive discipline. 

This poster (available at the link below) is a visual representation of students' view of bias-free discipline and would be a great graphic to start a conversation with staff about progressive discipline, mitigating factors and caring and safe schools.

http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/policyfunding/SupportPoster.pdf


The case study below taken from the ministry guide "Supporting Bias Free Progressive Discipline at School" can be used at a staff meeting to promote reflection, discussion and review of current policies and practices in regards to discipline.

Daniel, a Grade 8 student, has been having difficulty paying attention in class. He has stopped doing his homework on a consistent basis, and his grades have dropped considerably. His homeroom teacher brought Daniel to a meeting of the in-school resource team, and Daniel is now on a waiting list for a formal assessment. Recently, Daniel started to yell out in class. The principal has met with Daniel on several occasions, but the homeroom teacher reports that his classroom behaviour has not improved. The principal is concerned that Daniel’s outbursts may have something to do with an underlying learning disorder. On Friday, Daniel swore at the homeroom teacher and threw his books in his direction. The principal suspended Daniel for two days. Daniel’s parents are not pleased and believe that the principal does not know how to manage teachers who simply do not understand their son. They plan to appeal the suspension and no longer want Daniel to be formally assessed.

 Questions for consideration:
1. What are the issues in this scenario? 
2. What information and what mitigating and other factors, should the principal have considered when Daniel swore at the homeroom teacher? 
3. What information might the principal have considered previously that would have warranted providing early interventions? 
4. What preventive measures could have helped Daniel?
5. What supports and interventions would you consider for Daniel and his family? 
6. How would you respond to the parents? 
7. What action is needed to improve existing practices in order to prevent similar incidents in the future? 

Here are suggestions for school and system leaders to promote progressive discipline. Handout: http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/policyfunding/SupportPlacemat.pdf

Review:

Review policies and practices related to progressive discipline to identify and remove, or prevent, bias and discriminatory barriers

Review various types of data for evidence of the effect (positive or adverse) that progressive disciplinary practices are having on students, including students identified in the Code, and determine ways to achieve more positive effects

Develop/Refine:

Collaborate with staff, students, parents, and community members to address perceived biases and stereotypes

Expand knowledge among members of the school community and guide them in the development and implementation of a bias-free approach to progressive discipline

Promote positive peer interaction, healthy relationships, and a positive school climate 

Act:

Engage members of the school community in actively supporting positive student behaviour

Establish with staff the practice of taking into account mitigating and other factors when responding to inappropriate student behaviour

Apply policies and practices consistently and equitably, taking into account that equity does not mean treating people the same without regard for individual differences

Below is a four page handout that can be shared with staff. Be aware that some of the links no longer work.

Progressive Discipline: Part of Ontario’s approach to making schools safe places to learn.

http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/safeschools/discipline.pdf