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Needed: Alternatives to Out-of-School Suspension--A Stakeholder Forum

NCJ Number
208964
Date Published
January 2003
Length
14 pages
Annotation
This paper presents findings from a forum in North Carolina designed to provide alternatives to short-term out-of-school suspensions in the State.
Abstract
Policymakers in North Carolina recognized the need to find solutions for the growing numbers of students suspended from school for inappropriate behaviors. North Carolina’s General Assembly passed legislation designed to explore alternatives to out-of-school suspension in 2001; however, by 2002 there was still a lack of alternatives. As such, a forum was held on October 22, 2002, to generate discussion of alternatives to school suspension. Presentations at the forum reviewed research on current initiatives concerning alternatives to suspension and local programming efforts moving toward providing such alternatives. The work of the forum resulted in several conclusions regarding alternatives to short-term out-of-school suspensions in North Carolina. These conclusions include the challenge of securing funding for alternative programming, transportation of students, and collaborative concerns among service providers. Recommendations for feasible programming were offered, such as enhanced qualifications for school personnel and programming that allows for student follow-up, parental involvement, and community involvement. Additional steps were also identified which included: enhancement of communication and collaboration between schools and juvenile justice personnel at the State and local levels; and the establishment of uniform discipline guidelines for suspending students. Tables