STUDENT ACCOUNTABILITY

ACCOUNTABILITY STANDARDS FOR A SAFE SCHOOL

1. A standing committee for collaborative planning and review of a school's safe school and alternative education plan, to minimally include parents, students and representatives of community groups and agencies. These committee members should equitably represent the major demographics of the school and community.
   
   
2. A written plan for a safe school and at least one alternative education program that is based on a comprehensive needs assessment of all the major environments of the school, and is reviewed and updated annually. The plan should minimally contain the elements of (a) goals and measurable objectives, (b) related strategies and evaluation measures, (c) resources and funding required, (d) persons responsible for each strategy, (e) timelines for completion of each strategy, and (f) staff development that will foster success of assigned or responsible persons in executing stated strategies or achieving stated objectives. Components or goals and objectives for the plan should minimally address: (a) standards and consequences, including enforcement, for school behavior; (b) a system for identifying, serving and reporting on disruptive or disorderly students; (c) component plans for involving and working with both local law enforcement and court officials, and parents of the students; and (d) a comprehensive crisis management and emergency response plan.
   
   
3. A system for identifying and serving all students whose academic and/or behavioral performance are at-risk through a continuum of services to include Alternative Education.
   
   
4. A trend of decreasing, zero or near-zero incidence of school disruption, crime and violence, based on three or more years of date measures; as well as a trend of scientifically measured positive perceptions of the school as safe, orderly and caring by a representative sample of the major stakeholders in the school (e.g. students, staff, parents).