Under a proposed revision by the Dallas Independent Schools District, students facing disciplinary issues would have new options.
These include attending six hours of Saturday school, community service, or tutoring. Additionally, parents would need to attend a three-hour class to support their child’s progress.
If approved after a June 27 meeting, this revision will provide administrators with more tools to address behavior while assisting students.
The focus is on restorative measures rather than punitive actions towards all students.
Ben Jones from Thomas Jefferson High School noted that leaving the work option vague allows for more creativity in addressing student misconduct.
However, serious offenses like assault or drug possession would not be eligible for this alternative.
The Dallas ISD has a history of pushing for disciplinary reform, like eliminating out-of-school suspensions.
This move aims to reduce the number of suspensions and foster a more personalized approach to discipline through initiatives like reset centers.
Commit Partnership, a nonprofit, reported an 80% drop in suspensions and reset center placements between 2019 and 2023.
Miguel Solis, former Dallas ISD board member, stressed the importance of moving away from one-size-fits-all discipline strategies towards tailored interventions.