B ALTIMORE C ITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS Code of Conduct: Tools for Creating a Positive School Climate Karen Webber-Ndour, Executive Director Office of Student Support and Safety October 6, 2014

B ALTIMORE C ITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS Baltimore City Schools By the Numbers Student Enrollment: 84,730 total Schools and Programs: 188 total

B ALTIMORE C ITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS Baltimore City Schools’ Code of Conduct Baltimore City Schools’ Code of Conduct is recognized as a national model. Revisions focused on:  Improving school climate  Reducing zero-tolerance policies  Eliminating soft offenses  Addressing overuse of out-of-school suspensions The US DOE applauded Baltimore City for our work in these areas. 3 U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder visit Frederick Douglass High School (January 2014)

B ALTIMORE C ITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS Laying the Groundwork for Change Step 1: Focusing on Essential Indicators 4 SUSPENSION RATES ACROSS THE DISTRICT

B ALTIMORE C ITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS Laying the Groundwork for Change Step 2: Defining School Climate and Providing Climate Training School Climate Relationships Teaching & Learning Environment Safety 5 Targeted ~30 schools per year for 2 years based on their overuse of suspensions Emphasized that a positive school climate can be intentionally created Introduced evidence- based alternatives to suspension

B ALTIMORE C ITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS Laying the Groundwork for Change Step 3: Highlighting the Link Between Suspensions and Academic Performance 6 READINGMATH (31,516)(2,021)(901) 2013 (31,471)(2,009)(893) 2013 Students with 0 Suspensions Students with 1 Suspension Students with 2+ Suspensions

B ALTIMORE C ITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS The Results: Baltimore City Schools’ Historical Suspension Data NOTE: Counts show total number of out-of-school suspensions in the District based on end of year file. Includes all suspensions and expulsions. SOURCE: Official MSDE files.

B ALTIMORE C ITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS Punitive Restorative Remaining Challenges: Shifting the Mindset 8

B ALTIMORE C ITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS 9 Contact Information Karen Webber-Ndour Executive Director, Office of Student Support and Safety Baltimore City Public Schools (410) Further information available at: Code of Conduct available at:

B ALTIMORE C ITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS 10 APPENDIX

B ALTIMORE C ITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS Code of Conduct and Maryland’s Education Reform In July 2014, MSDE released Draft Guidelines for a State Code of Discipline. In it, school districts were provided detailed guidance on how to: Adopt a rehabilitative approach to school discipline and move away from zero-tolerance policies. Focus on the connection between school discipline and academic success. Focus on keeping students in school where they can learn and receive a world class education. 11 SOURCE: Report to the Maryland State Board of Education on the Draft Guidelines for a State Code of Discipline

B ALTIMORE C ITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS City Schools Representatives CommunityRepresentativesCommunityRepresentatives Offices of the Chief Academic Officer Student Support Suspension Services Early Learning Special Education School Police School Support Network Staff Facilitators Student Support Liaisons Office of Engagement District Principals Associated Student Congress of Baltimore City Baltimore Teachers Union (BTU) Public School Administrators and Supervisors Association (PSASA) Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Open Society Institute American Civil Liberties Union – Maryland Maryland Disability Law Center Advocates for Children and Youth Community Conferencing Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network Family League of Baltimore Baltimore City Schools’ Code of Conduct Revision Committee 12

B ALTIMORE C ITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS Successful Alternatives to Suspensions 4 Components 13 Alternatives to Suspension Student Voice Restorative Accountability Relationships