Suspension Services
Purpose of Office
The Office of Suspension Services (OSS) implements all policies and procedures for the extended suspension and expulsion of students due to violations of the Baltimore City Public School System (BCPSS) Student Discipline Code. The OSS ensures that all students suspended more than ten consecutive days and those expelled were done so in accordance with the BCPSS Student Discipline Policy; the COMAR 13A.08.01.11, and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Sections 300.519 through 300.529.
Detail of Office Activities
- Process referrals from schools for extended suspensions, including investigation, conferencing with students and parents, determining outcomes, and completing all necessary follow-up activities, in accordance with the BCPSS Student Discipline Policy, COMAR, and the IDEA.
- Ensure that schools adhere to all procedural safeguards for students with disabilities excluded for more than ten consecutive school days, in accordance with the IDEA.
- Assign students with disabilities to interim alternative educational settings during school removals of more than ten consecutive school days, in accordance with the IDEA. Students are placed prior to the tenth day of removal for each incident to prevent an interruption in IEP services.
- Review expulsion cases and make recommendations to the Chief Executive Office (CEO) concerning students’ reinstatement to the BCPSS, in accordance with the BCPSS Student Discipline Policy and COMAR.
- Provide technical assistance to schools and central offices in implementing the policies and procedures outlined in the BCPSS Administrator’s Student Discipline Handbook.
- Refer students to outside agencies for assistance with behavioral issues. Agencies include, but are not limited to, the Community Conferencing Center, the Community Mediation Center, the Baltimore Fire Department Juvenile Fire Setter Intervention Program, The Bridges Project, and Building Communities Today for Tomorrow, Inc.
- Participate on the BCPSS Suspension Focus Group to review, revise, and provide training on BCPSS discipline polices and procedures.
- Ensure the documentation of discipline data for all students proposed for exclusions of more than ten consecutive school days in the Special Education Tracking System (SETS). Utilize the SETS to track students from the first day of removal through the suspension process, including entry into and out of an alternative educational setting for students with disabilities.
- Advocate for BCPSS students involved with the Department of Juvenile Services.
Contacts:
Christine A. Cichan, Director - 410-396-8643
Denise Curbeam, Special Education Coordinator - 410-396-8646
|
