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Student Behavior Policies Policy 4300

Purpose

ENCSD recognizes that positive student behavior is essential to a safe, orderly, and supportive learning and living environment.  The purpose of this policy is to establish expectations for student conduct and to promote respectful, responsible behavior that supports academic success, social-emotional growth, and school safety.

ENCSD shall maintain a comprehensive approach to student behavior that emphasizes prevention, positive behavioral supports, clear expectations, and fair, consistent responses to misconduct.  Discipline practices shall be educational in nature, developmentally appropriate, and implemented in a manner that respects the communication needs of Deaf and hard of hearing students and the unique considerations of the Residential program.

I. Scope

This policy applies to:

  • All ENCSD students, including those participating in the Residential Program
  • Student conduct on ENCSD property, in ENCSD vehicles, and at ENCSD-sponsored activities
  • Student conduct that occurs off campus when such conduct has a direct and immediate impact on the orderly operation of the school or the safety of the school community.

II. Definitions

For the purposes of this policy, the following definitions apply:

  • Student Conduct: Behavior exhibited by a student that complies with or violates established school rules, policies, or expectations.
  • Code of Student Conduct: A set of rules and expectations adopted by ENCSD that governs student behavior and outlines potential consequences for violations.
  • Disciplinary Action: Any response taken by ENCSD to address violations of student behavior expectations, including corrective, supportive, or punitive measures as permitted by law.
  • Short-Term Suspension: Exclusion from school for ten (10) school days or fewer in accordance with applicable law and policy.
  • Long-Term Suspension: Exclusion from school for more than ten (10) school days in accordance with applicable law and policy.
  • Alternative Disciplinary Measures: Non-exclusionary responses to misconduct, including restorative practices, behavioral interventions, counseling, or other supports.

III. Behavioral Expectations

ENCSD shall establish and communicate clear behavioral expectations that:

  • Promote respect for self, others, and property
  • Support a safe and orderly school and residential environment
  • Are communicated to students and families in accessible formats

Students are expected to comply with all school rules and to conduct themselves in a manner that does not disrupt the educational process or compromise safety.

IV. Disciplinary Measures

Disciplinary actions shall be:

  • Fair, consistent, and proportionate to the behavior
  • Implemented in accordance with due process requirements
  • Designed, when appropriate, to correct behavior and minimize disruption to learning.

ENCSD shall consider alternative disciplinary measures before imposing exclusionary discipline, except where immediate removal is necessary to ensure safety.

V. Residential Program Behavior Expectations

Students participating in the Residential Program are subject to behavioral expectations during non-instructional hours that support safety, respect, and community living.  ENCSD shall:

  • Establish residential-specific behavior guidelines
  • Ensure appropriate supervision and consistent enforcement of expectations
  • Coordinate disciplinary responses between instructional and residential staff when necessary

VI. Accessibility and Communication

All behavior expectations, disciplinary procedures, and notices shall be communicated in accessible formats for Deaf and hard of hearing students and families.  ENCSD shall provide reasonable accommodations, including visual explanations, captioned materials, and ASL interpretation when appropriate, to ensure understanding and meaningful participation in disciplinary processes.

VII. Due Process

ENCSD shall provide students with due process protections as required by law, including notice of alleged misconduct and an opportunity to be heard prior to the imposition of disciplinary consequences, consistent with the severity of the disciplinary action.

Legal References

  • G.S. 115C-390.1 through 115C-390.12, Student Discipline
  • G.S. 115C-47, Powers and Duties of Local Boards of Education
  • G.S. 115C-150.6, Educational Services for Students Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing
  • Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
  • Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
  • North Carolina State Board of Education policies related to student discipline and behavior

This policy shall be reviewed and updated periodically to ensure continued compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and best practices for serving deaf and hard of hearing students.

Policy