Sometimes referred to as P.A.S.S. (Positive Alternative to School Suspension), the in-school suspension paradigm is presently in its eighteenth year of existence in Bay District Schools. As a dropout prevention initiative, the I.S.S. class is a proven, effective discipline strategy which serves students by offering them the chance to overcome a potentially negative learning situation with a positive one. Through this program, a student "voluntarily" agrees to attend the in-school suspension class in preference to receiving an out-of-school suspension from an administrator or dean at our school. Currently in-school suspension assignments are given for 3, 5, 7 , or 10-days each.
The decision to attend the in-school suspension program benefits the student in several important ways. These benefits include, but are not limited to: attendance, academics, improved self-esteem, improved self-discipline, and extra-curricular activities. For attendance purposes, the student who chooses to attend the I.S.S. class is not marked "absent" from school. Academically, this option allows the student the opportunity to continue to receive full credit for all class work completed as assigned by their regular academic teachers. I.S.S. students are also allowed to participate in extra-curricular activities. (This is solely the decision of the specific extra-curricular activity's faculty sponsor or coach.)
Students who attend the in-school suspension class receive a detailed orientation that stresses how important it is for them to "start and finish" the I.S.S. assignment by staying on-task and following all rule throughout the entire suspension period. These requirements are clearly and consistently communicated and enforced at all times for all students.
Students who do not complete their I.S.S. assignment will be reassigned to out-of-school suspension. Students who receive out-of-school suspension assignment are marked absent, receive the grade of 60 or below for all class work assigned or completed during this suspension, and may not participate in extra-curricular activities.
The role of the program administrator (teacher or paraprofessional) in the in-school suspension classroom is threefold: to serve the student as a disciplinarian, a tutor, and a counselor. As a disciplinarian, the program administrator explains, clarifies, and enforces the rules that have been implemented to insure the integrity of the in-school suspension program. The rules that have been established for the I.S.S. class are administered in a fair and consistent manner for all students. As a tutor, the teacher or paraprofessional assists students with problems they may have in academic areas. This includes assisting the "special needs," "regular," and "gifted" students. As a counselor, the program administrator offers students the opportunity to discuss the specifics of the violation(s) that led to their suspension. Additionally, they may suggest or assist the student in formulating possible alternative behaviors or solutions for future situations the student may face upon returning to his/her regular school environment.
Once a student agrees to attend or is assigned to in-school suspension, the student's individual academic teachers are notified. Upon this notification, these teachers assemble and send the appropriate assignments, books, and/or materials for their I.S.S. students to the in-school suspension teacher or classroom. Students are expected and required to stay on-task on these assignments at all times. It is the responsibility of the I.S.S. student to complete and return all assignments to their academic teachers for assessment. The student will receive an initial grade of "I" for any assignments NOT RETURNED as required. The grade of “I†will be changed to a “0†by the academic teacher if the assignments are not completed.
Tardiness is not permitted in I.S.S. Students must report to the I.S.S. room before 7:30 a.m. Upon arrival, one of several on-task strategies is given to the first time students in attendance. These students also receive a detailed individual student orientation for the purpose of clearly communicating the expectations for success, and the consequences for non-compliance. Repeating I.S.S. students receive a detailed review of the original orientation requirements.
The administration and faculty at Mosley agree that the strong, effective I.S.S. program at our school is a successful dropout prevention strategy that benefits everyone in the educational community by meeting or exceeding program objectives.
ISS Rubric
To insure that a disciplined learning environment exists in the in-school suspension classroom, a "rubric for success" was developed for the students assigned to I.S.S. Each day a student attends the I.S.S. class, a score, ranging from a 0-5, will be given by the program administrator in each of five separate criteria for assessment. The scoring will be as follows:
0 - Superior
1- Average
2- Needs Improvement
3- Unsatisfactory Behavior
4- Warning of Reassignment to O.S.S
5- Reassignment to O.S.S
The criteria for assessment applies to each student's level of performance in the following area:
(1) attendance, (2) tardiness, (3) ability to follow all rules, (4) appropriate classroom behavior, (5) on-task academic behavior.
Every student has the opportunity to start and complete each in-school suspension with 0-points.
When a student assigned to in-school suspension scores:
0-Points
He/she successfully completed the in-school requirements in a "superior" manner.
1-4 Points
He/she successfully completed the in-school requirements but "needs to improve" in one or more of the criteria areas. (This concern regarding "improvement" is particularly important if the student repeats the in-school suspension process.)
5 or more Points
He/she "did not successfully complete" the in-school requirements and was reassigned to out of school suspension.
This rubric, as an assessment tool consistently establishes and clearly communicates what behavior and levels of performance are expected of each student to successfully complete an in-school suspension.
ISS Rules
Students must report for in-school suspension before 7:30 a.m. with all textbooks, materials, and supplies.
Students are required to stay on task and to follow all rules:
* No skipping or unexcused absence
* No unexcused tardiness
* No talking
* No sleeping
* No off-task behavior
* No inappropriate or disruptive behavior
* No dress code violations
* No weapons/electronics possession or use
* No magazines, newspapers, or books (classwork only)
* No drawing or coloring pictures (classwork only)
* No writing, reading or possessing notes