{"data":{"id":"us-dc/d.c.-code-38-236.06","jurisdiction":"us-dc","citation":"D.C. Code § 38-236.06","heading":"Support for positive school climate and trauma-informed educational settings.","body":"(a)\nThe Office of the State Superintendent of Education shall provide an array of supports to assist local education agencies and schools to achieve the goals of  §§ 38-236.03 through 38-236.05 and to adopt trauma-informed disciplinary practices. The OSSE shall provide local education agencies and schools with, among other supports, the following:\n(1)\nGuidance and materials that inform local education agencies and school communities about developments in the fields of school climates and behavioral management;\n(2)\nRegular, high-quality professional development opportunities and technical assistance, and recommendations for further instruction outside of these opportunities, for local education agency and school personnel on:\n(A)\nTrauma and chronic stress, their effects on students and learning, and effective responses;\n(B)\nClassroom management, positive behavioral interventions, and fostering positive school climate;\n(C)\nDisciplinary approaches that utilize instruction and correction;\n(D)\nRestorative practices and other evidence-based or promising behavioral interventions;\n(E)\nImplementation of high-quality functional behavior assessments, behavioral intervention plans, and manifestation determination reviews, as those terms are used in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, approved December 3, 2004 (118 Stat. 2745; 20 U.S.C. § 1400 et seq.); and\n(F)\nImplicit bias and culturally responsive corrective action techniques;\n(3)\nOpportunities for local education agencies and schools to share promising practices regarding the topics in paragraph (2) of this subsection; and\n(4)\nTechnical assistance and supportive services to assist local education agencies and schools, as needed and in accordance with policies OSSE adopts, in reducing the use of exclusion by addressing the causes of student misconduct and the development and revision of disciplinary plans.\n\n(b)\nThe OSSE shall collaborate with other government agencies, local education agencies and schools, and postsecondary educational institutions to facilitate the provision of postsecondary degree or certificate programs covering the topics described in subsection (a)(2) of this section, including the identification or creation of a trauma-informed educator certificate program.\n\n(c)\nFor the purpose of providing local education agencies and schools the services set forth in subsection (a) of this section, the OSSE may:\n(1)\nAward a contract or grant to one or more nonprofit organizations;\n(2)\nAward contracts or competitive or formula grants to local education agencies, schools, or partnerships developed among schools or with nonprofit organizations;\n(3)\nEstablish a memorandum of understanding with the Department of Behavioral Health or other District agency; or\n(4)\nAny combination of paragraphs (1) through (3) of this subsection.\n\n(c-1)\nBeginning October 1, 2019, and consistent with the recommendations in the Report of the Task Force on School Mental Health submitted March 26, 2018, the Department of Behavioral Health shall provide local education agencies and schools with non-instructional personnel who have specialized expertise in behavioral health and trauma-informed educational settings to provide local education agencies and schools with broader mental health services, including reducing the use of exclusion by addressing the causes of student misconduct and being available for consultation regarding the development and revision of disciplinary plans.\n\n(d)\nWithin 2 years after August 25, 2018, and every 5 years thereafter, the OSSE shall submit to the Mayor and the Council an evaluative report on local education agency and school implementation of practices to promote school safety and reduce the use of exclusion, which shall:\n(1)\nBe based upon rigorous research techniques, including quantitative and qualitative methods;\n(2)\nDraw on the information maintained and reported pursuant to § 38-236.09, as well as other sources, with a particular focus on:\n(A)\nEnsuring the fidelity of data reporting;\n(B)\nUnanticipated consequences of the disciplinary policies and practices adopted pursuant to this part;\n(C)\nBarriers schools face in implementing the policies and practices required pursuant to this part; and\n(D)\nEffective approaches utilized by schools to avoid reliance on exclusion and reduce disparities in its use;\n(3)\nProvide specific recommendations for further action by the Council, executive branch, and schools; and\n(4)\nProvide suggestions for further research.","path":["Title 38. Educational Institutions.","Chapter 2. Compulsory School Attendance and Expulsion.","Subchapter II. Expulsion of Students.","Part C. Student Discipline."],"source_url":"https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/38-236.06","current_through":"2026-08-20 (D.C. Law 26-175)","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-08-29T05:44:07Z","sha256":"a00d802e822a22a95ff8fd2816ba0cf50e7d88fa1a13e8def7a9c16086e62ed7","source_id":"us-dc","stale":false,"prev":"us-dc/d.c.-code-38-236.05","next":"us-dc/d.c.-code-38-236.07"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}