Changes to Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook
The Fairfax County School Board approved revisions to the Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R) handbook for the upcoming 2019-2020 school year, which starts Monday, Aug. 26, 2019. “We recognized the importance of taking a fresh look at the SR&R to be more responsive to the changing needs of our students,” said School Board Chair Karen Corbett Sanders. “The changes reflect our continuing commitment to One Fairfax in which we are using an equity lens as our guide. We are changing from a punitive structure to one that works with students, families and staff that emphasizes restorative justice and second chances while maintaining safe schools.”
Changes include:
- Parent notification of general searches or individual searches of belongings.
- The language describing the codes has been changed from “disorderly conduct” to “disruptive behavior.”
- Added THC oil to the list of prohibited drugs.
- Added vaping of any substance and vaping products to the list of alcohol, tobacco and other drug violations.
- Students may be allowed to participate in convocation and graduation ceremonies even if they fall within the timeline of the temporary removal from activities because of a disciplinary violation.
- When a disciplinary incident involving a student with an intellectual or developmental disability may result in a suspension of any kind, school staff shall not request a statement from the student until a parent has been provided notice.
- Added language to clarify that the decision to provide a student response whether verbal or written to any staff questions is voluntary.
- No student aged 8 or younger shall be asked to write a statement.
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