ATPE supports measures to ensure all educational settings are safe and secure environments where students, school employees, and volunteers can be productive.
ATPE recommends that school districts/the state:
Make personnel standards and curriculum for all disciplinary alternative education programs commensurate with public education requirements.
Immediately remove any student who threatens or physically assaults a school employee, a volunteer, or another student to an alternate placement as determined by district policy and in accordance with state and federal law. The student’s parent or guardian should be notified immediately.
Utilize resources to deter or recover students from gang involvement and/or substance abuse.
Require accurate coding and reporting of incidents at schools.
Require comprehensive training for all staff in Chapter 37 (relating to student discipline) as well as annual notification of and/or updates on campus-level procedures regarding compliance with Chapter 37 of the Texas Education Code.
Require suicide prevention training and coping assistance for all school personnel.