The Discipline Toolkit is a framework for districts to use to develop a sustainable plan to reduce suspensions and expulsions. It was developed to assist districts identified as having a significant discrepancy in the percentage of students with an individualized education program (IEP) in one or more race or ethnic groups who were suspended or expelled for more than ten days over multiple years. However, any district can benefit from analyzing discipline data and using this process to improve practices and prevent the occurrence of significant discrepancies.
Discipline Toolkit Information
Resources
Toolkit
- What is the Discipline Toolkit? (2020) [PDF]
- Discipline Toolkit Manual (2024) [PDF]
- Discipline Toolkit Tools and Templates (2020):
- Data Analysis Tool [xlsx]
- Tracking Template [Fillable PDF]
- Core Team Data Review Form [Fillable PDF]
- Data Analysis Reflections Form [Fillable PDF]
- Actionable Cause Form [Fillable PDF]
- Action Plan Template [Fillable PDF]
- Measuring Implementation Fidelity Form [Fillable PDF]
- Evaluating Progress Form [Fillable PDF]
- Evaluating the Action Plan Form [Fillable PDF]
Promising Practices
The Office of Special Education (OSE) does not endorse the use of any specific discipline methodology or practice and recognizes those included on this page do not constitute an exhaustive list. The goal of the OSE is to emphasize there are multiple aspects of discipline to be explored and addressed to resolve issues of disproportionality in suspension and expulsion. Below are a few resources in areas commonly related to discipline.
Bullying Prevention Programs
- Bully-Free Schools: Circle of Support Program
- Bully-Free Schools: Survey Administrator Script
- Bully-Free Schools: Survey Quick Start
- Center on PBIS: Bullying Prevention
- Intervention Central
Character Education
Classroom Management
- APA Classroom Management Module
- Center on Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports
- Lions Quest Social and Emotional Learning
Culturally Responsive Practices
- Culturally Responsive Coaching for Inclusive Schools: A Guide to Planning Your LeadScape Coaching Dialogues
- Culturally Responsive Leadership: A Cognitive Coaching Approach
- Practitioner Brief Addressing Diversity in Schools: Culturally Responsive Pedagogy
Interventions for Disproportionality
Mental Health
- 5 “T” Strategies for Promoting Student Mental Health
- Michigan Trauma-Informed Local Coalitions
- Supportive School Discipline Webinar Series
Positive Behavior Support
- Center on Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports
- Culturally Responsive Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (CRPBIS)
Restorative Justice
- Restorative Justice: A Working Guide for Our Schools
- Safer Saner Schools: Whole-School Change, International Institute for Restorative Practices (IIRP)
