10 In-School Suspension Best Practices

In-school suspension (ISS) is a disciplinary action that can be taken by schools when a student violates the code of conduct. While ISS is not as severe as out-of-school suspension, it is still a serious consequence that can have a negative impact on a student’s academic performance and social development.

That’s why it’s important for schools to have ISS policies and procedures in place that are fair, consistent, and effective. This article will discuss 10 best practices for in-school suspension.

1. Establish a clear definition of in-school suspension

When students are in school, they should be learning. If they’re not, then the time spent in school is wasted. That’s why it’s important to have a clear definition of what in-school suspension entails.

Will students be allowed to work on their classwork? Will they be able to talk to their classmates? What type of supervision will they have? These are all important questions that need to be answered before in-school suspension can be implemented.

Without a clear definition, in-school suspension can quickly turn into a punishment that does more harm than good.

2. Develop an ISS policy that is consistent with the school’s discipline code

If a school’s ISS policy is not consistent with the school’s discipline code, it can create confusion for administrators, teachers, and students. This confusion can lead to inconsistency in the application of ISS, which can in turn lead to unfairness in the disciplinary process.

It is important that schools have an ISS policy that is clear, concise, and easy to understand. The policy should be reviewed on a regular basis to ensure that it remains up-to-date and aligned with the school’s discipline code.

3. Have a written plan for each student assigned to ISS

When a student is assigned to ISS, it’s important that they know what is expected of them and what the consequences will be if they don’t meet those expectations. A written plan helps to ensure that both the student and the ISS teacher are on the same page from the start.

The written plan should include the following:

– The reason why the student was assigned to ISS
– The rules that the student must follow while in ISS
– The consequences that will occur if the student doesn’t follow the rules
– The length of time that the student will be in ISS
– The goals that the student is expected to achieve while in ISS

Having a written plan for each student assigned to ISS may seem like a lot of work, but it’s worth it in the long run. Not only will it help to keep the students on track, but it will also make your job as the ISS teacher much easier.

4. Provide students with appropriate supervision and instruction

When students are removed from the classroom and placed in in-school suspension, they are not only missing out on valuable instruction time, but they are also at risk of falling behind their peers. In order to avoid this, it is important to provide students with a way to stay caught up on their work while they are in in-school suspension.

One way to do this is by providing students with a list of assignments they need to complete during their suspension. This way, they can work on their assignments during their free time and turn them in when they return to class.

Another way to provide students with instruction while they are in in-school suspension is by having a teacher or tutor come in to work with them individually or in small groups. This way, students can get the help they need to understand their assignments and make sure they are completing them correctly.

5. Keep records of all incidents involving students who are suspended

When a student is suspended, it’s important to have a record of the incident so that you can track their behavior and see if there are any patterns. This information can be used to help prevent future incidents and also to help the student get the support they need.

Keeping records also allows you to monitor the effectiveness of your in-school suspension program. You can use the data to see if there are any areas that need improvement.

6. Make sure there is adequate space for ISS

If a school doesn’t have enough space for students who are assigned to ISS, then those students will likely be placed in an out-of-school suspension (OSS). OSS is much more disruptive to a student’s education than ISS, and it can also lead to increased behavioral problems.

So, if a school doesn’t have enough space for ISS, it’s important to make sure that the school has enough space for OSS. Otherwise, the school may end up with more behavioral problems than it started with.

7. Ensure that students have access to their regular classes during ISS

If students are removed from their regular classes and placed in ISS, they can fall behind in their coursework. This can lead to lower grades and may even cause them to fail the class. Additionally, being removed from class can be disruptive and make it difficult for students to focus on their work.

By ensuring that students have access to their regular classes during ISS, you can help them stay on track with their coursework and avoid falling behind.

8. Use ISS as a learning opportunity

When students are removed from the classroom, they miss out on important instruction time. In-school suspension gives you the chance to provide them with alternative learning opportunities so they don’t fall behind.

This might include assigning them independent work to do, providing them with additional resources, or even offering one-on-one tutoring. The goal is to make sure they’re still able to progress academically while they’re serving their suspension.

Additionally, in-school suspension provides an opportunity for students to reflect on their choices and behavior. This reflection can be used as a teachable moment to help them understand why their actions were wrong and how they can avoid making similar choices in the future.

9. Involve parents in the process

When a child is suspended from school, it’s important that their parents are aware of the situation. Not only does this allow them to be more involved in their child’s education, but it also helps to ensure that the child is receiving the support they need at home.

It’s also important to involve parents in the process so that they can help to prevent future suspensions. By working together, you can develop a plan that will help to keep the child on track and out of trouble.

10. Evaluate your program regularly

When you take a step back and look at your in-school suspension program, it’s important to identify what is and isn’t working. Are students returning to class after their suspension? If not, why? Is the length of time spent in in-school suspension appropriate?

Evaluating your in-school suspension program on a regular basis will help ensure that it is effective and meeting the needs of both students and teachers.