OAKLAND UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
Administrative Regulation
AR 5137 – Positive School Climate
Students
It is the goal of Oakland Unified School District that each school should develop and implement a comprehensive approach to school discipline that focuses on equity and the creation of positive learning environments for all students. To that end and in accordance with the District Voluntary Resolution Plan (VRP) – Racially Disproportionate Discipline, every school site shall form and maintain a Positive School Climate Committee. This committee is expected to:
* Ensure that each school creates and implements discipline policies and procedures that are in accordance with District policies and District voluntary resolutions as well as local, state, and federal law.
* Ensure that each school fairly and consistently applies discipline policies and procedures that are respectful and support the dignity of each student and staff member.
School sites are advised to use the following strategies to create and maintain safe and supportive learning environments that foster academic success, equity and pro-social behavior:
* Adhere to discipline policies and procedures that maintain the dignity and respect of all students and staff.
* Institute discipline policies that foster empathy and self-management, including opportunities to learn from mistaken behavior, and foster intrinsic motivation to act pro-socially.
* Apply discipline policies and procedures with consistency and equity.
* Provide conflict resolution and positive communication training to staff and students.
* Train and maintain a cadre of student mediators.
* Promote respect for and appreciation of individual characteristics among students including race, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, citizenship, sex, gender, sexual orientation, physical ability, mental ability, religion, and/or age.
* Help students understand diversity, teach them to think critically about bias, and show them how to deal with discriminatory behavior in constructive ways.
* Employ cooperative learning strategies that foster positive interactions among students from diverse backgrounds.
* Provide opportunities for meaningful student participation in classroom and school governance in which they may appropriately voice their concerns about policies and practices, and share responsibility for solving problems that affect them at school.
* The Superintendent, site administrators or designees may initiate campus or community service projects, buddy systems, class meetings and other student decision-making groups or processes.
* Regularly recognize pro-social student behavior as it contributes to the well-being of the classroom and school community. Involve students in recognizing and appreciating one another’s contributions.
* Seek meaningful ways to involve parents, guardians and community members in creating and maintaining a positive school climate, for example through classroom and school-wide projects and celebrations, homework assignment involving family and community members, and regular recognition of their contributions to the school and to the greater community.
7/14/04