DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Office of the Secretary
PROPOSED
PUBLIC NOTICE
Education Impact Analysis Pursuant To 14 Del.C. Section 122(d)
614 Uniform Definitions for Student Conduct Which May Result in Alternative Placement or Expulsion
A. Type of Regulatory Action Required
Amendment to Existing Regulation
B. Synopsis of Subject Matter of the Regulation
Pursuant to 14 Del.C. §122(b)(26), the Secretary of Education intends to amend 14 DE Admin. Code 614 Uniform Definitions for Student Conduct Which May Result in Alternative Placement or Expulsion. The Department has reviewed the regulation in order to comply with 29 Del.C. §10407 which requires regulations to be reviewed on a recurring basis every four years and updated Delaware Code citations in the regulation that were previously changed in Delaware Code.
Persons wishing to present their views regarding this matter may do so in writing by the close of business on or before February 4, 2020 to Department of Education, Office of the Secretary, Attn: Regulation Review, 401 Federal Street, Suite 2, Dover, Delaware 19901 or email to DOEregulations.comment@doe.k12.de.us. A copy of this regulation may be viewed online at the Registrar of Regulation's website, http://regulations.delaware.gov/services/current_issue.shtml, or obtained at the Department of Education, located at the address listed above.
C. Impact Criteria
1. Will the regulation help improve student achievement as measured against state achievement standards? The regulation does help to improve student achievement as measured against state achievement standards by providing guidelines for supportive instruction in various settings.
2. Will the regulation help ensure that all students receive an equitable education? The regulation is intended to help ensure all students receive an equitable education.
3. Will the regulation help to ensure that all students' health and safety are adequately protected? The regulation helps ensure that all students’ health and safety are adequately protected.
4. Will the regulation help to ensure that all students' legal rights are respected? The regulation specifically helps to ensure that all students’ legal rights are respected.
5. Will the regulation preserve the necessary authority and flexibility of decision making at the local board and school level? The regulation does not change the decision making at the local board and school level.
6. Will the regulation place unnecessary reporting or administrative requirements or mandates upon decision makers at the local board and school levels? The regulation does not place any unnecessary reporting or administrative requirements on decision makers.
7. Will the decision making authority and accountability for addressing the subject to be regulated be placed in the same entity? The decision making authority and accountability for addressing the subject to be regulated does not change because of the regulation.
8. Will the regulation be consistent with and not an impediment to the implementation of other state educational policies, in particular to state educational policies addressing achievement in the core academic subjects of mathematics, science, language arts and social studies? The regulation is consistent with and not an impediment to the implementation of other state educational policies.
9. Is there a less burdensome method for addressing the purpose of the regulation? There is not a less burdensome method for addressing the purpose of the regulation.
10. What is the cost to the State and to the local school boards of compliance with the regulation? There are no material costs to implementing this regulation.
614 Uniform Definitions for Student Conduct Which May Result in Alternative Placement or Expulsion
Pursuant to 14 Del.C. §122(b) (26), this regulation provides uniform definitions for student conduct which may result in alternative placement or expulsion. This regulation shall apply to all school districts and charter schools. Nothing contained here shall be interpreted to require the alternative placement or expulsion of a student, nor shall this regulation be interpreted to restrict the ability of school districts and charter schools to determine which student conduct shall result in expulsion or an alternative placement.
Since some definitions of Section 2.0 may not be age appropriate, this section shall not be required to be published in a district or charter school’s Student Code of Conduct. The district/charter school shall publish an internet link to this entire regulation in the Student Code of Conduct and provide a paper copy of the regulation upon request of a member of the public. In this regulation, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated below:
"Alcohol" shall have the same definition as provided in 4 Del.C. §101(1).
"Alcohol Liquor" shall have the same definition as provided in 4 Del.C. §101(2).
"Charter School" means a charter school board established pursuant to Chapter 5 of Title 14 of the Delaware Code.
"Commission by a student" means that a student has engaged in behavior equivalent to that which is prohibited by law regardless of whether the student has been criminally convicted of the same.
"Crime" shall have the same meaning as provided in 14 Del.C. §4112.
"Dangerous Instrument" shall have the same meaning as provided in 11 Del.C. §222(4).
"Deadly Weapon" shall have the same meaning as provided in 11 Del.C. §222(5).
"Distribute", "Distributing" or "Distribution" means the transfer or attempted transfer of Alcohol, a Drug, a Look Alike Substance, a Drug Like Substance, or Drug Paraphernalia to any other person with or without the exchange of money or other valuable consideration.
"District" means a reorganized school district or vocational technical school district established pursuant to Chapter 10 of Title 14 of the Delaware Code.
"Drug" means any "controlled substance" or "counterfeit controlled substance" as defined in 16 Del.C. §4701 (6) and (7).
"Drug Like Substance" means any noncontrolled and nonprescription substance capable of producing a change in behavior or altering a state of mind or feeling, including, for example, some over the counter cough medicines, certain types of glue, caffeine pills and diet pills. The definition of Drug Like Substance does not include tobacco or tobacco products which are governed by 14 DE Admin. Code 877 Tobacco Policy.
"Drug Paraphernalia" shall have the same meaning as provided in 16 Del.C. §4701 (17).
"Expulsion" means, for purposes of this regulation, the exclusion from the regular school setting for a period determined by the local District board or Charter School board.
"Firearm" means handgun, rifle, shotgun, or other type of firearm as that term is defined in the federal Gun Free Schools Zone Act at 18 U.S.C.A. §921.
"Look Alike Substance" means any noncontrolled substance which is packaged so as to appear to be, or about which a student makes an express or implied representation that the substance is, a Drug or a noncontrolled substance capable of producing a change in behavior or altering a state of mind or feeling.
"Nonprescription Medication" means any over the counter medication; some of these medications may be a "Drug Like Substance."
"Possess", "Possessing", or "Possession" means that a student has on the student's person, in the student's belongings, or under the student's reasonable control prohibited items or substances.
"Prescription Drugs" means any substance obtained directly from or pursuant to a valid prescription or order of a practitioner, as defined in 16 Del.C. §4701(31), while acting in the course of his or her professional practice, and which is specifically intended for the student in whose Possession it is found.
"School Environment" means within or on school property, and at school sponsored or supervised activities, including, for example, on school grounds, on school buses, at functions held on school grounds, at school sponsored extracurricular activities held on and off school grounds, on field trips and at functions held at the school in the evening.
"Sexual Act" means (1) contact between the penis and the vulva or the penis and the anus, and for purposes of this definition contact involving the penis occurs upon penetration, however slight; (2) contact between the mouth and the penis, the mouth and the vulva, or the mouth and the anus; or (3) the penetration, however slight, of the anal or genital opening of another by a hand or finger or by any object, with an intent to arouse or gratify the sexual desire of any person.
"Sexual Intercourse" shall have the same meaning as provided in 11 Del.C. §761(g).
"Sexual Offense" means any offense defined by 11 Del.C. §§763-780 through 780B and §§1108-1112A, through 1112B, 1352(2) and 1353.
"Student Code of Conduct" means the District/Charter School approved document which specifies the rights and responsibilities of students, defines conduct that disrupts/threatens a positive/safe school environment, standardizes procedures for consequences, disciplinary action, and defines due process and grievance procedures.
"Theft" means those acts described in 11 Del.C. §§ 841 through 846847 inclusive.
"Use" means that a student is reasonably known to have voluntarily ingested, smoked or otherwise assimilated Alcohol, a Drug or a Drug Like Substance, or is reasonably found to be under the influence of such a substance.
The following definitions shall be used whenever a school district or charter school uses such conduct as a basis for alternative placement or expulsion of a student:
"Arson" shall mean a person recklessly or intentionally damages a building by intentionally starting a fire or causing an explosion.
"Assault III" shall mean: (1) A person intentionally or recklessly causes physical injury to another person; or (2) With criminal negligence the person causes physical injury to another person by means of a Deadly Weapon or a Dangerous Instrument.
"Attorney General's Report (Juvenile Arrest Warrant and Complaint)" shall mean the Department of Justice's report of out-of-school criminal conduct, regardless of jurisdiction, which shows disregard for the health, safety and welfare of others, including, but not limited to acts of violence, weapons offenses, and Drug offenses.
"Breaking and Entering" shall mean unauthorized entry of any locked area of the school environment during or after school; including, but not limited to, rooms, classrooms, auditorium, gym, shops, offices, lockers, cabinets and vehicles.
"Bullying" shall mean any intentional written, electronic, verbal or physical act or actions against another student, school volunteer or school employee that a reasonable person under the circumstances should know will have the effect of: (1) Placing a student, school volunteer or school employee in reasonable fear of substantial harm to his or her emotional or physical well-being or substantial damage to his or her property; or (2) Creating a hostile, threatening, humiliating or abusive educational environment due to the pervasiveness or persistence of actions or due to a power differential between the bully and the target; or (3) Interfering with a student having a safe school environment that is necessary to facilitate educational performance, opportunities or benefits; or (4) Perpetuating bullying by inciting, soliciting or coercing an individual or group to demean, dehumanize, embarrass or cause emotional, psychological or physical harm to another student, school volunteer or school employee.
"Criminal Deadly Weapons/Dangerous Instrument Offense, Commission of" shall mean the Commission by a student of an offense prohibited by 11 Del.C. §§1442 through 14581460 inclusive.
"Criminal Drug Offense, Commission of" shall mean the Commission by a student of the unlawful Possession, Distribution, or use of Alcohol, a Drug, a Drug-Like Substance, and/or Drug Paraphernalia.
"Criminal Mischief (Vandalism)" shall mean a student, in the School Environment, intentionally or recklessly: (1) Damages tangible property of another person or entity; or (2) Tampers with tangible property of another person so as to endanger person or property.
"Criminal Sexual Offense, Commission of" shall mean the Commission by a student of an offense prohibited by 11 Del.C. §§763 through780 780B, inclusive, or §§1108 through 1112A1112B, inclusive, or §1352(2) or §1353.
"Criminal Violent Felony Offense, Commission of" shall mean the Commission by a student of any violent felony as specified in 11 Del.C. §4201(c).
"Cyberbullying" shall mean the use of uninvited and unwelcome electronic communication directed at an identifiable student or group of students, through means other than face-to-face interaction, which (1) interferes with a student's physical well-being; or (2) is threatening or intimidating; or (3) is so severe, persistent, or pervasive that it is reasonably likely to limit a student's ability to participate in or benefit from the educational programs of the school district or charter school. Communication shall be considered to be directed at an identifiable student or group of students if it is sent directly to that student or group, or posted in a medium that the speaker knows is likely to be available to a broad audience within the school community.
"Dangerous Instrument(s) Instrument Possession/Concealment/Sale" shall mean the unauthorized Possession/concealment/sale by a student in the School Environment of any instrument, article or substance which is readily capable of causing serious physical injury or death.
"Deadly Weapon(s) Weapon Possession/Concealment/Sale" shall mean the Possession, concealment, or sale of a Deadly Weapon in the School Environment.
"Defiance of School Authority" shall mean: (1) A verbal or non-verbal refusal to immediately comply with a reasonable request from school personnel, or refusal to identify oneself at the request of school personnel, and/or refusal to comply with disciplinary action; or (2) A verbal or non-verbal display of disrespect and/or uncivil behavior toward school personnel which either causes a substantial disruption or material interference with school activities.
"Disorderly Conduct" shall mean conduct in the School Environment which causes public inconvenience, annoyance or alarm or creates a risk thereof by: engaging in fighting or violent tumultuous or threatening behavior or making an unreasonable noise or an offensively coarse utterance or gesture or display or addressing, abusive language to any person present.
"Distribution of Drugs and/or Alcohol and/or Drug Paraphernalia" shall mean the sale, transfer, or Distribution distribution in school, on school property, or on school field trip of Drugs or Alcohol drugs or alcohol.
"Extortion" shall mean to obtain or attempt to obtain money, goods, services, or information from another by force or the threat of force.
"Felony Theft ($1500 or more)" shall mean: (a) When a person takes, exercises control over or obtains property of another person intending to deprive that person of it or appropriate it; or (b) When a person, in any capacity, legally receives, takes, exercises control over or obtains property of another which is the subject of Theft, and fraudulently converts the property to the person's own use. The Theft is considered a felony when the value of the property received, retained, or disposed of is $1500 or more or the victim is 62 years of age or older, or an "adult who is impaired" as defined in § 3902(2) of Title 31, or a "person with a disability" as defined in § 3901(a)(2) of Title 12.
"Fighting" shall mean any aggressive physical altercation between two or more individuals.
"Gambling" shall mean participation in games of chance for money or other things of value.
"Gun Free School's Schools Violation" shall mean the prohibited bringing to school, or Possession possession while in school of a Firearm firearm by a student.
"Harassment" shall mean any actions or statements made with the intent to harass, annoy, or alarm another person which: A) insults, taunts, or challenges the other person or; B) is a cause of alarming or distressing conduct which serves no legitimate purpose and is done in a manner which the actor knows is likely to provoke a violent or disorderly response or cause a reasonable person to suffer fear, alarm, or distress.
"Inhalant Abuse" shall mean chemical vapors that are inhaled for their mind-altering effects.
"Medications: Inappropriate Use or Possession" shall mean Possessing or using Nonprescription Medication or Prescription Drugs of any type in the School Environment in violation of 14 DE Admin. Code 612.
"Misuse of Technology" shall mean:
The use of school technology equipment in:
Soliciting, using, receiving or sending pornographic or obscene material; or
Accessing unauthorized email; or
The unauthorized downloading and/or installing of files; or
Intentionally damaging technology equipment in the School Environment; or
A situation in which a student deliberately:
Tampers with, damages, alters, accesses, crashes, or corrupts the computer/communications system in the School Environment resulting in the loss or corruption of information or the ability of the system to operate; or
In any way disrupts or degrades the school or District's technology infrastructure.
"Offensive Touching" shall mean intentionally touching another person either with a member of his or her body or with any instrument, knowing that the person is thereby likely to cause offense or alarm to such other person; or Intentionally striking another person with saliva, urine, feces or any other bodily fluid, knowing that the person is thereby likely to cause offense or alarm to such other person.
"Pornography" shall mean the Possession possession, sharing, or production of any known obscene material in the School Environment.
"Rape or Attempted Rape" shall respectively mean sexual intercourse and attempted Sexual Intercourse without consent of the victim in both cases.
"Reckless Burning" shall mean when a person intentionally or recklessly starts a fire or causes an explosion and recklessly places a building or property in danger of destruction or damage or places another person in danger of physical injury.
"Repeated Violations of Student Code of Conduct" shall mean five or more violations of the school's Code of Conduct within a school year, excluding chronic infractions for tardiness or unexcused absences to school/class.
"Sexual Assault" shall mean any unwanted sexual behavior committed by a perpetrator who is a stranger to the victim or by a perpetrator who is known by the victim or related to the victim by blood, marriage or civil union. Behaviors that fall under this definition include but are not limited to: sexual harassment as defined in §763 of Title 11; sexual contact as defined in §761(f) of Title 11; Sexual Intercourse as defined in §761(g) of Title 11; sexual penetration as defined in §761(i) of Title 11; and child sexual abuse as defined in §901 of Title 10.
"Sexual Misconduct" shall mean a consensual sexual act(s) between two individuals within the School Environment.
"Stealing" means taking, exercising control over or obtaining property of another person intending to deprive that person of it or appropriate it.
"Steroids Possession and/or Use" shall mean the unlawful Use or Possession of steroids.
"Tampering with Public Records" shall mean a person knowingly without valid authorization removes, mutilates, destroys, conceals, makes a false entry in or falsely alters any original record or other written material filed with, deposited in or otherwise constituting a record of a public office or public servant.
"Teen Dating Violence" shall mean assaultive, threatening or controlling behavior, including stalking as defined in 11 Del.C. §1312, that one person uses against another person in order to gain or maintain power or control in a current or past relationship. The behavior can occur in both heterosexual and same sex relationships, and in serious or casual relationships.
"Terroristic Threatening" shall mean when: (1) A person threatens to commit any Crime likely to result in death or in serious injury to person or property; or (2) A person commits an act with intent of causing an individual to believe that the individual has been exposed to a substance that will cause the individual death or serious injury.
"Terroristic Threatening - Security Threat" shall mean when a person makes a false statement or statements: (1) Knowing that the statement or statements are likely to cause evacuation in the School Environment; (2) Knowing that the statement or statements are likely to cause serious inconvenience in the School Environment; or (3) In reckless disregard of the risk of causing terror or serious inconvenience in the School Environment.
"Unlawful Sexual Contact III" shall mean when a student has sexual contact with another person or causes the victim to have sexual contact with the student or a third person and the student knows that the contact is either offensive to the victim or occurs without the victim's consent.
"Use and/or Possession of a Drug and/or Alcohol and/or Drug Paraphernalia" shall mean, that in the School Environment, a student unlawfully Possesses, Uses possesses, uses or is under the influence of Alcohol, a Drug, Drug Paraphernalia, alcohol, a drug, drug paraphernalia, or any substance or paraphernalia consistent with the definitions of these substances or paraphernalia.
“Violation of Behavior Contract” shall mean the failure of a student to comply with the provisions of any behavior contract between the student, his/her the student’s legal guardian, and the school.
This regulation shall become effective for School Codes of Conduct in the 2014-15 school year.
