Zero Tolerance for an Old Zero Tolerance for an Old PolicyPolicy

How to push back when students are pushed out

Talking Points for Effective AdvocacyTalking Points for Effective Advocacy

Jacqueline Roebuck SakhoJacqueline Roebuck SakhoRegional Coordinator, West TNRegional Coordinator, West TN

STEP, Inc.STEP, Inc.

““Pro”ventative AdvocacyPro”ventative Advocacy

““Catch it at the gate”Catch it at the gate”– Utilizing the IEP

Building Social SkillsBuilding Social Skills Developing Problem Solving and Critical Developing Problem Solving and Critical

Thinking SkillsThinking Skills Strengthening Dynamic Thinking SkillsStrengthening Dynamic Thinking Skills

““Pro”ventative Pro”ventative AdvocacyAdvocacy

A learning and teaching A learning and teaching moment…moment…

The Teaching OpportunityThe Teaching Opportunity

Understanding Your Child’s DisabilityUnderstanding Your Child’s Disability– Knowing which services are appropriateKnowing which services are appropriate

Being/Becoming a Collaborative Being/Becoming a Collaborative ParentParent– Working togetherWorking together

Navigating the IEP as an “interactive Navigating the IEP as an “interactive tool”tool”

The Learning OpportunityThe Learning Opportunity

School System ResourcesSchool System Resources– Approved curriculum– Programs and services

What other services may be helpful What other services may be helpful for that family?for that family?

Potential Volunteer Advocate/MentorPotential Volunteer Advocate/Mentor

Preventative AdvocacyPreventative Advocacy

““Grab the reign”Grab the reign”– Utilizing the services entitled

A “functional” FBA/BIPA “functional” FBA/BIP Know your peopleKnow your people

Preventative Preventative AdvocacyAdvocacy

A learning and teaching A learning and teaching moment…moment…

The Teaching OpportunityThe Teaching Opportunity

Knowledge of Rights and ResponsibilitiesKnowledge of Rights and Responsibilities– What does the law provide?– Who are the key behavioral players?– Might the youth require additional services

outside the school system? Being/Becoming an Effective AdvocateBeing/Becoming an Effective Advocate

– What are the rules?– Effective Record Keeping – Developing an action plan– How to negotiate effectively

The Learning OpportunityThe Learning Opportunity

What are the procedural guidelines What are the procedural guidelines for FBA/BIP for the School System?for FBA/BIP for the School System?– Opportunity to challenge vague policy!!Opportunity to challenge vague policy!!

The key Behavioral players in the The key Behavioral players in the School SystemSchool System

Who are the youth service provider Who are the youth service provider agencies?agencies?

Potential Volunteer Advocate/MentorPotential Volunteer Advocate/Mentor

Conflict/Crisis AdvocacyConflict/Crisis Advocacy

““Red Alert”Red Alert”– Utilizing the IDEA

Record ReviewRecord Review– Are there compliance issues?Are there compliance issues?– The Manifestation Determination Hearing?The Manifestation Determination Hearing?

Ensuring that all relevant information Ensuring that all relevant information regarding the youth’s IEP is reviewed by the regarding the youth’s IEP is reviewed by the courtcourt

– Zero Tolerance – Criminal?Zero Tolerance – Criminal?

Conflict/Crisis Conflict/Crisis AdvocacyAdvocacy

A learning and teaching A learning and teaching moment…moment…

The Teaching OpportunityThe Teaching Opportunity Knowledge of Rights and Responsibilities

– Discovering the “zero tolerance” and disciplinary policies and procedures

– Who are the key players? School System DisciplineSchool System Discipline Juvenile JusticeJuvenile Justice

– Alternatives to detention programs? If so, what are the criteria?

Being/Becoming an Effective Advocate– What are the rules?– Effective Record Keeping – Developing an action plan– How to negotiate effectively

The Learning OpportunityThe Learning Opportunity

School System procedural School System procedural guidelines/policies?guidelines/policies?– Opportunity to challenge vague policyOpportunity to challenge vague policy– Identifying systemic issuesIdentifying systemic issues

Juvenile Justice and School System Juvenile Justice and School System key playerskey players

Juvenile Justice system structure?Juvenile Justice system structure? Building Community and Legislative Building Community and Legislative

relationshipsrelationships

““Educational disability does not cause delinquency, but Educational disability does not cause delinquency, but learning and behavioral disorders place youth at greater learning and behavioral disorders place youth at greater risk for involvement with the juvenile courts and for risk for involvement with the juvenile courts and for incarceration. incarceration. School failure, poorly developed social skills, and School failure, poorly developed social skills, and inadequate school and community supports are inadequate school and community supports are associated with the over-representation of youth with associated with the over-representation of youth with disabilities at all stages of the juvenile justice system.”disabilities at all stages of the juvenile justice system.”

The National Center on Education, Disability and Juvenile Justice

Questions?Questions?