Ensuring Discipline that is Fair and Effective

The Department’s Office for Civil Rights and the Department of Justice released the first-ever federal policy guidance to enhance school climate and improve school discipline policies and practices. “Teachers and principals make difficult, yet appropriate, decisions involving the use of school discipline each and every school day,” wrote Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Catherine Lhamon. “And yet, in some of our schools and districts, the unfair and unnecessary use of suspensions and expulsions undermine this essential work. Students must be in school to be successful.”  Read more about the guidance at www.ed.gov/school-discipline. Five Memorable School Visits of 2013: In 2013, Secretary Arne Duncan visited his 49th state as Secretary of Education. “Getting out of Washington and into classrooms provides me with the opportunity to talk with students, teachers, parents, and college leaders on what is working and what we still need to accomplish,” he writes. Read: Looking Back at 5 Memorable School Visits of 2013.  Quick Links: Partnering with Local Communities: The First Five “Promise Zones” 5 Reasons to Fill Out the FAFSA (BuzzFeed article with GIFs!) Putting an End to Human Trafficking Parents: Tips To Help Your Child Complete the FAFSA Rural Students in Florida Get Chance to Become STEM Scholars  Source: U.S. Department of Education Weekly Digest Bulletin, January 12, 2014