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The article discusses new ways for school discipline proposed by National Parent Teacher Organization (PTA) to ensure children get the desired support instead of feeling secluded when expelled or suspended, and includes related statements for this proposal.

The article presents a study by the National Association of State Boards of Education which explores the trends in school discipline for students among schools in the U.S. The study examines the promising local school disciplinary practices among school districts on punitive, exclusionary apporach and restorative approach. The study also highlights the schools suspension rates for student's behavior.

The article reports on the discipline guidance issued by the Education and Justice departments in the U.S. and the Dear Colleague Letter. Particular focus is given to the lack of direct bearing of the guidance on special education, which addresses discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin only. The demand of the special education community for a guidance that clearly protects students with disabilities is noted.

A summary is offered for several education laws in the U.S. including the Missing Children's Assistance Reauthorization Act, the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act and the Student Disciplinary Fairness Act.

The article reports on the decision of the U.S. Supreme Court not to take up two cases regarding Internet free speech issues in 2012. Details are given highlighting the circumstances and legal implications of the cases J.S. v. Blue Mountain School District and Kolwaski v. Berkeley County Schools, focusing on their debate over the role of school districts in disciplining students' online behavior.

The article discusses a court case wherein two students enjoined the school from enforcing its ban on the use of wristbands with the word "boobie" written on them in support of breast awareness day. In the case, H. v. Easton Area School District, the U.S. District Court of Eastern District of Pennsylvania directed the district from suspending or disciplining students based on its ban on lewd or vulgar speech.

The article discusses a court case wherein a student filed a suit for violation of First Amendment rights when the principal suspended him for wearing a Confederate flag symbol on his belt buckle. In the case, Defoe v. Spiva, the principal reasonably foresaw that the violation of the dress code could cause a disruption to school work and discipline in the school. The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that school officials reasonably predicted racial tensions to arise from the display of the symbol.

The article discusses the proposed bill known as the Keeping All Students Safe Act, S. 3895, by U.S. Senator Chris Dodd regarding school discipline, particularly the use of restraint and seclusion when dealing with problem students. The bill would permit the use of both restraint and seclusion to be written into an individualized education program (IEP) under certain conditions. It is noted that the law would only impact private schools. The reaction of the National Disability Rights Network (NDRN) to the bill is discussed.

The article offers several summaries of U.S. legislative bills that have been introduced, acted on, or referred to another committee in the U.S. Senate or U.S. House of Representatives including the action on and referral to U.S. Congress of the H.R. 3288, FY 2010 Consolidated Appropriations Bill, the introduction of the bill H.R. 4247, Preventing Abusive Restraint and Seclusion in Schools Act, and the introduction of the bill H.R. 4223, Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning Act.

The article discusses a court case wherein the Nevada Supreme Court ruled that the Paul D. Coverdell Teacher Protection Act of 2001 must be used in a timely manner to claim its effectivity. The immunity provision from the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) protects the school personnel who injure a student while enforcing discipline or instilling order in the classroom. A teacher and his district were held liable for injuries when they failed to assert their immunity claim at the start of the litigation process.

The article discusses a court case involving the constitutionality of a school district disciplinary policy prohibiting students from carrying cell phones on school ground. The New York Supreme Court in the case Price v. New York City Board of Education argued that the disciplinary policy did not violate parents' constitutional liberty interest in providing for care, custody and control of their children. The facts of the case are provided.

The article provides information on the John v. City of El Monte case, filed in 2007. A teacher, who disciplined a student for passing notes in class, claimed that her arrest violated her Fourth Amendment rights, which require probable cause before an arrest is made. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals reversed the decision of the Central District Court of California and concluded that no violation occurred as the arrest was made after an interview with the disciplined student, who accused the teacher of sexual molestation.

The article provides information on the Bryant v. Oak Forest High School District #228 Board of Education, filed in Illinois in 2007. A student's father claimed that in disciplinary actions involving his son, the high school principal demonstrated racial discrimination and therefore violated the Equal Protection Clause. Nobody in the district reportedly acted on the parent's claim, despite receiving letters about it. The Northern District Court of Illinois concluded that the superintendent is not immune from liability for civil damages.

The article focuses on the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) conference bill highlighting need for focusing on school climate and safety in reference to discipline practices like reducing rates of suspension and presents views of Daniel Losen, director of civil rights center, on it.

The article reports on the video of an 8-year-old, 52-pound boy who was handcuffed by a school resource officer (SRO) in Covington, Kentucky and argues on the need and use of SROs in schools where they conduct disciplinary action for students.

The article reports that the Illinois House of Representatives has passed the Senate Bill (SB) 100 that would require changes in the use of punitive school discipline practices throughout the state.

The article reports that the Maryland Board of Education has passed new disciplinary regulations on January 28, 2014, that will end a zero-tolerance policy in schools, and require administrators to use long-term suspensions only for students who pose a serious threat to other students or staff.

The article offers news briefs related to education in the U.S. as of the week of January 13, 2014 including the School Improvement Grants program, the new school discipline guidance package has released by the departments of Education and Justice, and shortcomings of the records exchange system.

The article examines school discipline issues in the U.S. like bullying, drug violations and armed violence threats which prompted jurisdictions to implement zero-tolerance policies, employ law enforcement officers and install metal detectors. It is stated that increased student referrals to the juvenile justice system raised rights groups' concerns over missed instructional time. Senator Patrick Leahy would reportedly reintroduce Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Reauthorization Act.

An article from the California newspaper "San Francisco Chronicle" is discussed, which reports on the passage of a legislative bill aimed at preventing cyberbullying, and providing schools with the ability to punish those convicted of online bullying, by California legislators on April 16, 2012.

The article discusses the legislation before the U.S. Congress about the use of restraint and seclusion as a disciplinary measure in schools. Brenda Scheuermann, coordinator of the behavioral disorders and positive behavior supports graduate program at Texas State University, comments on the movement to ban the use of such measures in schools. School staff in Green Bay Area Public School District in Wisconsin stopped using seclusion and is researching the use of restraint by its staff.

The article discusses educational legislation in the U.S. concerning the use of restraint and seclusion in schools. Particular focus is given to bills debated in several states including Florida, Wisconsin, and Michigan. The Keeping Students Safe Act passed by the U.S. House of Representatives and the opposition of school groups to state legislation concerning restraint and seclusion are also discussed.

The article discusses a court case wherein the North Carolina Supreme Court rejected the charges of a student that his due process rights were violated. In Copper v. Denlinger, it states that a student has the right to claim procedural due process when going through a disciplinary action and one can only make a constitutional claim against the board after availing of such services. It also comments on the accusation against the principal about falsifying the suspension paperwork of the student.

The article discusses several issues in U.S. special education during the year 2009. The lack of a nominee to run the U.S. Office of Special Education Programs is noted. The National Disability Rights Network's report on restraint and seclusion of students "School Is Not Supposed to Hurt," which led to the legislation H.R. 4247, the Preventing Harmful Restraint and Seclusion in Schools Act is explored. The U.S. Supreme court case Forest Grove Sch. Dist. v. T.A., 52 IDELR 151 is discussed.

The article reports that U.S. Representative George Miller, chairman of the U.S. House of Representatives Education and Labor Committee, has introduced legislation which would limit the use of restraint and seclusion as disciplinary measures in schools. Bruce Hunter, an official of the American Association of School Administrators, expresses concern over the bill's language and objects to provisions regarding individual education plans (IEPs).

The article discusses the response of California educators regarding federal requirements to provide data regarding school disciplinary measures that involve physical restraint or seclusion. The article describes how state Special Education Director Mary Hudler hopes to provide clarification in data collection measures that detail the instances that physical restraint and seclusion were used on students with disabilities.

The article offers U.S. educational news briefs. The National Education Association Foundation plans to expand a pilot program exploring strategies for school improvement. A lawsuit filed by the U.S. Justice Department alleges that children with autism spectrum disorder and other disabilities were discriminated against by a private school management company. A report from the Congressional Research Service finds a lack of consistency in case law involving restraint and seclusion in schools.

The article reports on moves by U.S. Representative George Miller, Democrat of California, to address the use of restraint and seclusion to control student behavior in schools. Miller, who chairs the House Education and Labor Committee, said he would hold hearings on the issue, in response to calls for action from parent groups around the country.

The article focuses on the need to make parents understand the goal of conducting child manifestation determination (MD) hearing. A school psychologist for Peoria (Ill.) Public Schools Paula Carpenter noted that parents usually feel like they have to defend their child. It offers ways to alleviate parents' concerns regarding the issue.

The article focuses on educational laws in California regarding the punishment and restraint of school children. It explains that the law prevents the use of seclusion as a punishment and enforces stricter regulations on the use of restraint. The Hughes Bill is discussed as a law about school punishments and comments from Leslie Morrison, the lead investigator at Protection and Advocacy Inc., are included.

The article presents information about a bill in California regarding the use of restraint in schools. It explains that the law states that no chemical, mechanical, or physical restraints can be used as a method of persuasion. The definition of physical restraints are more specifically described for clarification.

The article focuses on the role of the U.S. government in school discipline. It discusses the views of the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA) on the matter. The COPAA argues that the federal government should increase their role in disciplinary policies. Comments from Denise Marshall, the COPAA Executive Director, are included.

The article provides information on the DePinto v. Bayonne Board of Education case, filed in New Jersey in 2007. Two fifth-graders, who protested against the school uniform policy by wearing buttons depicting Hitler youth, claimed that their suspension from school violated their First Amendment right to free speech. The District Court of New Jersey rejected the school district's claim that the punishment was due to the offensive nature of the buttons.

The article discusses a section in the 2006 final Individuals With Disabilities Education Act Part B regulations that focuses on discipline of students in the U.S. It stresses that the rules govern only heinous actions. Students with disabilities who have threatened to harm a fellow student or staff can not be put into an interim alternative educational setting for 45 school days. Instances that make a student liable for removal from an individualized program include carrying of weapons at school and illegal drug use.

The article discusses an appeals court case in Alabama which dealt with the Fourth Amendment rights of a 9-year-old student. Though the court admitted it was reasonable for a school resource officer to stop the student and question her regarding her threat against a teacher, it found his handcuffing her excessively intrusive and violated the student's Fourth Amendment rights given her young age and the fact that the handcuffing was not done to protect anyone's safety.

The article stresses the need for schools in the U.S. to have a clear student conduct codes for off-campus misbehavior. It explains the legal challenges that schools might face for lack of clear policy on off-campus misconduct. The decision by the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals on the case Collins versus Prince William County School Board, which highlights the need for a clear school policy on off-campus misbehavior, is discussed. It also offers steps for establishing or updating student codes of conduct.

The article discusses a study of school discipline policies and practices in public schools in Florida. Findings indicated that many of the state's districts have turned away from traditional education-based disciplinary methods. Attorney Jim Freeman suggested principals try to limit the use of police to crimes that involved serious threats to students and staff. The number of out-of-school suspensions has outpaced the growth of the student population in the state.