922 PLAN
Countywide Plan for Provision of Educational Services to Expelled Students 2024-2027
STANISLAUS COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION
Plan for Providing Educational Services to Expelled Youth 2024-2027
Scott Kuykendall, Stanislaus County Superintendent of Schools
1100 H Street, Modesto, California 95354
Overview
The Stanislaus County Office of Education (SCOE) and the Governing Boards of each school district within Stanislaus County believe that students are entitled to a free and appropriate public education. At the same time, acknowledgement is made that not all students can succeed, for a variety of reasons, on a comprehensive school campus.
California Education Code Section 48926 states, “Each county superintendent of schools in counties that operate community schools pursuant to Section 1980, in conjunction with superintendents of school districts within the county, shall develop a plan for providing education services to all expelled pupils in that county.”
Representatives from all Stanislaus County school districts have provided input on the changes that have occurred since the 2021 plan was written, to assess whether progress has been made in closing the gaps in services identified in 2021, and to identify any new gaps.
California Education Code Section 48916.1 states, “At the time an expulsion of a pupil is ordered, the governing board of the school district shall ensure that an education program is provided to the pupil who is subject to the expulsion order for the period of the expulsion…”
The educational placement is determined on an individual basis by the school district’s governing board based on (1) seriousness of the offense, (2) available educational alternatives, and (3) other related factors.
The Stanislaus County Office of Education (SCOE) continues to provide an educational option for expelled students to meet the needs of the districts, students, and parents of Stanislaus County.
California Education Code Section 48926 also states, “The plan shall be adopted by the governing board of each school district within the county and by the county board of education.”
The Stanislaus County Educational Plan for Expelled Students was approved by every district Board of Trustees and the Stanislaus County Board of Education.
School District Educational Alternatives for Expelled Students
Districts located within Stanislaus County provide a variety of options for expelled pupils, depending on the specific violation of California Education Code Sections 48900, 48900.2, 48900.3, 48900.4, and 48900.7. The alternative education program to which an expelled pupil may be assigned is preceded by a decision made by the local governing board which may provide for one of the following expulsion orders describing the students' educational placement:
- Expulsion, suspended order, with placement on the same school campus (Education Code §48917(a))
- Expulsion, suspended order, with placement on a different school campus within the district (Education Code §48917(a))
- Expulsion, suspended order, with voluntary enrollment in district independent study, if the parent and student consent (Classroom instruction must be available upon parent or student request)
- Expulsion, suspended order, with subsequent transfer to another district
- Expulsion with referral to a district community day school program if available
- Expulsion with subsequent recommendation to charter school options
The Stanislaus County Office of Education (SCOE) offers the following options in their community school for youth expelled under district policies or state law, youth who have been expelled for reasons under 48910 and 48915 and those on suspended expulsions.
- Daily educational programs that meet for 240 minutes per day in community classrooms. o Contracted study programs that require students to complete a minimum of 20 hours of educational product and a minimum of 1 hour of in-class assignment each week.
- Daily educational programs that meet from 60 to 200 minutes combined with a Contacted Study Program with a minimum expected product of 20 hours.
- Contracted Study Programs that require students to complete a minimum of 20 hours of educational product with 60 to 300 minutes of direct contact with an instructor each week. These options are available at the following sites:
- Teel School, Empire
- Stanislaus Culinary Arts Institute, Oakdale
- Stanislaus Industrial Technology Institute, Patterson
- Petersen Alternative Center for Education at John B. Allard School, Ceres
- Stanislaus Alternative Charter School - Countywide 5
Parents may also elect to enroll their student in a charter school or private school. Costs for private school or charter school, if any, are the responsibility of the parent. School districts offer a public-school option for expelled students.
The school district of residence maintains the responsibility for developing a rehabilitation plan for expelled students and referring students to an appropriate educational setting.
For students who receive special education services, the student and parent will meet with a SCOE Program Specialist and Counselor to review the student's IEP and ensure that the students educational needs and minutes of service are met at the community school.
An Individual Learning Plan (ILP) will be developed with the student, the student’s parent(s), and SCOE Alternative Education Teacher and Counselor. Part of this plan includes a goal of returning the student to the school district of residence after the district expulsion term.
Referrals from the districts to the county-operated school programs are submitted directly to the SCOE - Educational Options Division school of choice.
Behavioral Intervention Practices/Strategies for Improvement
To minimize the number of suspensions and expulsions, the SCOE and school districts in Stanislaus County implement actions to create positive school climates and promote social-emotional learning using evidence-based strategies. SCOE and school districts in Stanislaus County implement multi-tiered systems of support/response to intervention for students that promote high expectations, maintain student engagement in school, and provide systems for student success. Specific interventions implemented in Stanislaus County schools include:
- PBIS
- Behavior Support Plans
- Conflict Mediation
- Drug and Alcohol counseling/Referrals to Substance Abuse Programs
- Character Coaches
- Restorative Justice
- Trauma Informed Classroom Strategies
- Bully Free @ TUSD
- Character Counts
- Bridge Program
- Probation Intervention
- Saturday School
- In School Suspension
- Detention
- Parent Conferences/School to Home Meetings and Conferences
- Disproportionality Training
- Equity - Diversity Task Force
- Mental Health Clinicians
- Board Certified Behavior Analysts
- Referrals to Youth Assessment Center
Schools in Stanislaus County involve families in a variety of contexts to support student success. Schools provide ongoing communication to parents about the importance of school attendance and behavior in relation to academic achievement. Schools involve parents in the education of their child(ren) and decision- making venues. Students who return to their districts after fulfilling the terms of their expulsions receive the aforementioned multi-tiered system of support.
Support for Students Returning from Expulsions
Expelled students who complete their rehabilitation plan obligations are reviewed by the district for possible return to regular district programs.
- Collaborate a coordinated effort with returning district to ensure a smooth transition.
- Monitor progress towards graduation (9-12) to support student success towards graduation.
- Follow expulsion stipulations for returning to school district.
- One on one meeting with district administration to review behavioral and academic status and decide best district placement.
- District site counseling for academic and behavioral goals setting and planning with regular follow, referral to mental health services as needed.
- Behavior contract with district with site support and interventions assigned as needed.
Identified Gaps in Educational Services to Expelled and Corresponding Strategies.
1.0 Instructional programs for expelled students in grade 1-5 continue to be limited. The practice of placing students in these grades on Independent Study is not preferred.
Strategies:
- Utilize suspended enforcement of expulsions to allow students to continue attending school in their district.
- District provides appropriate grade level district curriculum for student to complete while enrolled in county program for grades 1-5 or request student to utilize county online curriculum.
- Continue to explore the feasibility of a county operated classroom program for students in grades 4-5.
2.0 Geographic Barriers continue to affect daily student attendance.
Strategies:
- The Special Education division implemented a Learning Center / Inclusion model to support students who receive special education services. This model is available at each site providing access in closer proximity to their district of residence.
- Transportation /bus passes are provided PACE at John B. Allard School and Stanislaus Military Academy/Tactical Character Academy at Teel in Empire
- SARB Process
3.0 Parents understanding of the importance of their involvement in their students' education through attending meetings as required.
Strategies:
- District administrators provide opportunities for students with families to meet to create a plan that will prevent/minimize suspension or expulsions.
- District administrators work with parents to create a behavior plan and set up a structure to monitor the student to assure their success upon return to school.
- County and districts provide staff to follow-up with parents to ensure meetings are attended.
- County programs school sites offer more activities and events on campus that include parents and families.
- Enhance mental health/ wellness support for parents and families.
Identify Alternative Placements for Pupils Who Are Expelled and Placed in the District Community Day School/Community School Programs But Fail to Meet The Terms and Conditions of Their Rehabilitation Plan or Pose a Danger to Other District Pupils, as Determined by the Governing Board.
- Expelled students who fail to meet the terms and conditions of the district rehabilitation plan may be referred to a different district school, another district program, or remain with the SCOE Alternative Education Division Community school.
