Nevada School Discipline Laws & Regulations: Alternative placements

Discipline Compendium

Nevada School Discipline Laws & Regulations: Alternative placements

Category: Exclusionary Discipline: Suspension, Expulsion, and Alternative Placement
Subcategory: Alternative placements
State: Nevada

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LAWS

NRS 385A.620. Regulations governing inclusion of pupils enrolled in certain alternative programs within statewide system.

1. The State Board shall adopt regulations that prescribe, consistent with 20 U.S.C. §§ 6301 et seq., and the regulations adopted pursuant thereto, the manner in which pupils enrolled in:

(b) An alternative program for the education of pupils at risk of dropping out of school pursuant to NRS 388.537.

NRS 388.537. Alternative programs for pupils at risk of dropping out of school.

1. The board of trustees of a school district may, subject to the approval of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, operate an alternative program for the education of pupils at risk of dropping out of school, including pupils who are enrolled in kindergarten or grades 1 to 12, inclusive.

2. The board of trustees of a school district may submit to the Department, in the form prescribed by the Department, a plan to operate an alternative program.

3. The Superintendent of Public Instruction shall review each plan to operate an alternative program submitted to the Department and approve or deny the plan. Approval by the Superintendent constitutes approval of each component of the plan for the alternative program.

4. If a plan for an alternative program is denied by the Superintendent of Public Instruction, the board of trustees of a school district may appeal the decision of the Superintendent to the State Board. The State Board may approve or deny the plan for the alternative program upon appeal.

5. An alternative program may include:

(a) A shorter school day or an opportunity for pupils to attend a longer school day than that regularly provided in the school district. The alternative program must provide for a number of minutes of instruction that is equal to or greater than that which would be provided under a program consisting of 180 school days.

(b) An opportunity for pupils to attend classes of instruction during any part of the calendar year.

(c) A comprehensive curriculum that includes elective classes of instruction and career and technical education.

(d) An opportunity for pupils to obtain academic credit through experience gained at work or while engaged in other activities.

(e) An opportunity for pupils to satisfy either:

(1) The requirements for a regular high school diploma; or

(2) The requirements for an adult standard diploma.

(f) The provision of child care for the children of pupils.

(g) The transportation of pupils to and from classes of instruction.

(h) The placement of pupils for independent study pursuant to NRS 389.155, if the board of trustees of the school district determines that the pupil would benefit from such placement.

6. The board of trustees of a school district may operate an alternative program pursuant to this section through a program of distance education pursuant to NRS 388.820 to 388.874, inclusive.

NRS 392.264.. Offender prohibited from enrolling in or attending school victim is enrolled in or attends without court approval; duty of superintendent of school district to negotiate agreement for enrollment and attendance in another school district; termination of agreement 

1. If a superintendent of a school district receives notification and a victim identified in the notification is a pupil in the school district, the superintendent shall not permit an offender who is subject to the provisions of NRS 62F.100 to 62F.150, inclusive, to enroll in or attend a public school that a victim is enrolled in or attending unless: 

(a) An alternative plan of supervision is approved by the court pursuant to NRS 62F.130; or

(b) An alternative plan of attendance is approved by the court pursuant to NRS 62F.140.

2. If the court does not approve an alternative plan of supervision or an alternative plan of attendance for the offender and the school district in which the offender resides does not have another public school in the district for the offender to enroll in and attend, the superintendent of the school district shall negotiate an agreement with: 

(a) The superintendent of an adjoining school district within this state for the offender to enroll in and attend a public school in that adjoining school district; or 

(b) The superintendent, or another appropriate administrator, of an adjoining school district in an adjoining state for the offender to enroll in and attend a public school in that adjoining school district. 

3. The superintendent of the school district in which the offender resides shall inform the person with whom the superintendent is negotiating that the offender has been adjudicated delinquent for a sexual offense or a sexually motivated act, but the superintendent shall not disclose the name of a victim.

4. An agreement which is made pursuant to this section and which is presented to a board of trustees for approval:

(a) Must not contain the name of a victim;

(b) Must comply with the provisions of subsections 2 and 3 of NRS 392.010; and

(c) Must be approved by the Superintendent of Public Instruction.

5. A board of trustees may terminate an agreement entered into pursuant to this section if, because of a change in circumstances, the offender is able to enroll in and attend a public school in the school district in which the offender resides without violating subsection 1. 

NRS 392.4645. Removal of pupil: Notice; assignment to temporary alternative placement; exceptions; services offered to pupil; determination whether pupil is homeless pupil. 

1. A pupil may be temporarily removed from a classroom or other premises of a public school if, in the judgment of the teacher or other staff member responsible for the classroom or other premises, as applicable, the pupil has engaged in behavior that seriously interferes with the ability of the teacher to teach the other pupils in the classroom and with the ability of the other pupils to learn or with the ability of the staff member to discharge his or her duties. Upon the removal of a pupil from a classroom or any other premises of a public school pursuant to this section, the principal of the school shall provide a written explanation of the reason for the removal of the pupil to the pupil and offer the pupil an opportunity to respond to the explanation. Within 24 hours after the removal of a pupil pursuant to this section, the principal of the school shall notify the parent or legal guardian of the pupil of the removal.

2. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 3, a pupil who is removed from a classroom or any other premises of a public school pursuant to this section may be assigned to a temporary alternative placement pursuant to which the pupil:

(a) Is separated, to the extent practicable, from pupils who are not assigned to a temporary alternative placement;

(b) Studies or remains under the supervision of appropriate personnel of the school district; and

(c) Is prohibited from engaging in any extracurricular activity sponsored by the school.

3. The principal shall not assign a pupil to a temporary alternative placement if the suspension or expulsion of a pupil who is removed from the classroom pursuant to this section is:

(a) Required by NRS 392.466; or

(b) Authorized by NRS 392.467 and the principal decides to proceed in accordance with that section.

If the principal proceeds in accordance with NRS 392.466 or 392.467, the pupil must be removed from school in accordance with those sections and the provisions of NRS 392.4642 to 392.4648, inclusive, do not apply to the pupil.

4. A public school must, on or before August 1 of each year, develop or review and revise a plan to offer a pupil, including without limitation, a pupil who is less than 11 years of age, who is removed from a classroom or any other premises of the public school pursuant to this section or NRS 392.466 for more than 2 school days: 

(a) Education services to prevent the pupil from losing academic credit or becoming disengaged from school during the period the pupil is removed from a classroom or any other premises of the public school; and

(b) Appropriate positive behavioral interventions and support, trauma-informed support and a referral to a school social worker or school counselor.

5. A plan developed by a public school pursuant to subsection 4 must include:

(a) An option to provide such education and support services to a pupil in an in-person setting;

(b) The location where such services will be provided to the pupil; and

(c) A plan for the pupil to complete any assignments or course work missed during his or her removal.

6. Each public school shall, on or before August 1 of each year, submit the plan that is developed or reviewed and revised pursuant to subsection 4 to:

(a) The board of trustees of the school district, governing body of the charter school or governing body of the university school for profoundly gifted pupils, as applicable;

(b) The State Board; and

(c) The Joint Interim Standing Committee on Education. 

7. Upon removing a pupil from a classroom or any other premises of a public school pursuant to this section for more than 1 school day, the principal of the school must contact the local educational agency liaison for homeless pupils designated in accordance with the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act of 1987, 42 U.S.C. §§ 11301 et seq., or a contact person at a school, including, without limitation, a school counselor or school social worker, to make a determination of whether the pupil is a homeless pupil.

8. Each school district shall, on or before August 1 of each year, collect a representative sample of the plans developed pursuant to subsection 4 and submit a copy of the sampled plans to:

(a) The Joint Interim Standing Committee on Education;

(b) The Department; and

(c) The State Board. 

9. The sample of plans that is collected pursuant to subsection 7 must correspond with the proportion of pupils within the school district who are:

(a) Economically disadvantaged;

(b) From major racial and ethnic groups;

(c) Pupils with disabilities;

(d) English learners;

(e) Migratory children;

(f) Of each gender;

(g) Homeless;

(h) In foster care; and

(i) Pupils whose parent or guardian is a member of the Armed Forces of the United States, a reserve component thereof or the National Guard. 

10. As used in this section, “homeless pupil” has the meaning ascribed to the term “homeless children and youths” in 42 U.S.C. § 11434a(2).

NRS 392.466. Plan of action for pupil who engages in battery on employee of school, possession of firearm or dangerous weapon or sale or distribution of controlled substance or is deemed a habitual disciplinary problem; appeal by employee who is victim of battery; suspension, expulsion or permanent expulsion of such pupils; immediate removal of pupil in possession of firearm; modification to suspension or expulsion by certain school officials; limitations for pupils with disabilities, homeless pupils and pupils in foster care. 

1. Except as otherwise provided in this section, any pupil who commits a battery which results in the bodily injury of an employee of the school or who sells or distributes any controlled substance while on the premises of any public school, at an activity sponsored by a public school or on any school bus and who is at least 11 years of age shall meet with the school and his or her parent or legal guardian. The school shall provide a plan of action based on restorative justice to the parent or legal guardian of the pupil. The pupil may be expelled from the school, in which case the pupil shall:

(a) Enroll in a private school pursuant to chapter 394 of NRS or be homeschooled; or

(b) Enroll in a program of independent study provided pursuant to NRS 389.155 for pupils who have been suspended or expelled from public school or a program of distance education provided pursuant to NRS 388.820 to 388.874, inclusive, if the pupil qualifies for enrollment and is accepted for enrollment in accordance with the requirements of the applicable program.

2. An employee who is a victim of a battery which results in the bodily injury of an employee of the school may appeal to the school the plan of action provided pursuant to subsection 1 if:

(a) The employee feels any actions taken pursuant to such plan are inappropriate; and

(b) For a pupil who committed the battery and is participating in a program of special education pursuant to NRS 388.419, the board of trustees of the school district has reviewed the circumstances and determined that such an appeal is in compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 20 U.S.C. §§ 1400 et seq.

3. Except as otherwise provided in this section, any pupil who is found in possession of a firearm or a dangerous weapon while on the premises of any public school, at an activity sponsored by a public school or on any school bus must, for the first occurrence, be expelled from the school for a period of not less than 1 year, although the pupil may be placed in another kind of school for a period not to exceed the period of the expulsion. For a second occurrence, the pupil must be permanently expelled from the school and:

(a) Enroll in a private school pursuant to chapter 394 of NRS or be homeschooled; or

(b) Enroll in a program of independent study provided pursuant to NRS 389.155 for pupils who have been suspended or expelled from public school or a program of distance education provided pursuant to NRS 388.820 to 388.874, inclusive, if the pupil qualifies for enrollment and is accepted for enrollment in accordance with the requirements of the applicable program.

4. If a school is unable to retain a pupil in the school pursuant to subsection 1 for the safety of any person or because doing so would not be in the best interest of the pupil, the pupil may be suspended, expelled or placed in another school. If a pupil is placed in another school, the current school of the pupil shall explain what services will be provided to the pupil at the new school that the current school is unable to provide to address the specific needs and behaviors of the pupil. The school district of the current school of the pupil shall coordinate with the new school or the board of trustees of the school district of the new school to create a plan of action based on restorative justice for the pupil and to ensure that any resources required to execute the plan of action based on restorative justice are available at the new school.

5. Except as otherwise provided in this section, if a pupil is deemed a habitual disciplinary problem pursuant to NRS 392.4655, the pupil is at least 11 years of age and the school has made a reasonable effort to complete a plan of action based on restorative justice with the pupil, the pupil may be:

(a) Suspended from the school for a period not to exceed one school semester as determined by the seriousness of the acts which were the basis for the discipline; or

(b) Expelled from the school under extraordinary circumstances as determined by the principal of the school.

6. If the pupil is expelled, or the period of the pupil's suspension is for one school semester, the pupil must:

(a) Enroll in a private school pursuant to chapter 394 of NRS or be homeschooled; or

(b) Enroll in a program of independent study provided pursuant to NRS 389.155 for pupils who have been suspended or expelled from public school or a program of distance education provided pursuant to NRS 388.820 to 388.874, inclusive, if the pupil qualifies for enrollment and is accepted for enrollment in accordance with the requirements of the applicable program.

7. The superintendent of schools of a school district may, for good cause shown in a particular case in that school district, allow a modification to a suspension or expulsion pursuant to subsections 1 to 5, inclusive, if such modification is set forth in writing. The superintendent shall allow such a modification if the superintendent determines that a plan of action based on restorative justice may be used successfully.

8. This section does not prohibit a pupil from having in his or her possession a knife or firearm with the approval of the principal of the school. A principal may grant such approval only in accordance with the policies or regulations adopted by the board of trustees of the school district.

9. Except as otherwise provided in this section, a pupil who is not more than 10 years of age must not be permanently expelled from school. In extraordinary circumstances, a school may request an exception to this subsection from the board of trustees of the school district. A pupil who is at least 11 years of age may be suspended from school or permanently expelled from school pursuant to this section only after the board of trustees of the school district has reviewed the circumstances and approved this action in accordance with the procedural policy adopted by the board for such issues.

10. A pupil who is at least 11 years of age and who is participating in a program of special education pursuant to NRS 388.419 may, in accordance with the procedural policy adopted by the board of trustees of the school district for such matters and only after the board of trustees of the school district has reviewed the circumstances and determined that the action is in compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 20 U.S.C. §§ 1400 et seq., be:

(a) Suspended from school pursuant to this section for not more than 5 days. Such a suspension may be imposed pursuant to this paragraph for each occurrence of conduct proscribed by subsection 1.

(b) Permanently expelled from school pursuant to this section.

11. A homeless pupil or a pupil in foster care who is at least 11 years of age may be suspended or expelled from school pursuant to this section only if a determination is made that the behavior that led to the consideration for suspension or expulsion was not caused by homelessness or being in foster care. The person responsible for making a determination of whether or not the behavior was caused by homelessness or being in foster care shall presume that the behavior was caused by homelessness or being in foster care unless the person determines that the behavior was not caused by homelessness or being in foster care pursuant to this subsection. A determination that the behavior was not caused by homelessness must be made in consultation with the local educational agency liaison for homeless pupils designated in accordance with the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act of 1987, 42 U.S.C. §§ 11301 et seq., or a contact person at a school, including, without limitation, a school counselor or school social worker. A determination that the behavior was not caused by being in foster care must be made in consultation with an advocate for pupils in foster care at the school in which the pupil is in enrolled or the school counselor of the pupil.

12. As used in this section:

(a) "Battery" has the meaning ascribed to it in paragraph (a) of subsection 1 of NRS 200.481.

(b) "Dangerous weapon" includes, without limitation, a blackjack, slungshot, billy, sand-club, sandbag, metal knuckles, dirk or dagger, a nunchaku or trefoil, as defined in NRS 202.350, a butterfly knife or any other knife described in NRS 202.350, a switchblade knife as defined in NRS 202.265, or any other object which is used, or threatened to be used, in such a manner and under such circumstances as to pose a threat of, or cause, bodily injury to a person.

(c) "Firearm" includes, without limitation, any pistol, revolver, shotgun, explosive substance or device, and any other item included within the definition of a "firearm" in 18 U.S.C. § 921, as that section existed on July 1, 1995.

(d) “Foster care” has the meaning ascribed to it in 45 C.F.R. § 1355.20.

(e) “Homeless pupil” has the meaning ascribed to the term “homeless children and youths” in 42 U.S.C. § 11434a(2).

(f) "Restorative justice" has the meaning ascribed to it in subsection 6 of NRS 392.472.

(g) “Unaccompanied pupil” has the meaning ascribed to the term “unaccompanied youth” in 42 U.S.C. § 11434a(6).

13. The provisions of this section do not prohibit a pupil who is suspended or expelled from enrolling in a charter school that is designed exclusively for the enrollment of pupils with disciplinary problems if the pupil is accepted for enrollment by the charter school pursuant to NRS 388A.453 or 388A.456. Upon request, the governing body of a charter school must be provided with access to the records of the pupil relating to the pupil's suspension or expulsion in accordance with applicable federal and state law before the governing body makes a decision concerning the enrollment of the pupil.

NRS 392.4673. Suspended or expelled pupil entitled to appropriate education.

A pupil who is suspended or expelled or is being considered for suspension or expulsion is entitled to receive an appropriate education in the least restrictive environment possible.
 

NRS 392.4675. Certain suspended or expelled pupils ineligible to attend public school; authority for school district or charter school to enroll ineligible pupil in alternative programs, independent study, distance education, charter school designated for pupils with disciplinary problems or challenge school.

1. Except as otherwise provided in this section, a pupil who is suspended or expelled from:

(a) Any public school in this State pursuant to NRS 392.466; or

(b) Any school outside of this State for the commission of any act which, if committed within this State, would be a ground for suspension or expulsion from public school pursuant to NRS 392.466, is ineligible to attend any public school in this State during the period of that suspension or expulsion.

2. A school district or a charter school, if the charter school offers the applicable program, may allow a pupil who is ineligible to attend a public school pursuant to this section to enroll in:

(a) An alternative program for the education of pupils at risk of dropping out of school provided pursuant to NRS 388.537;

(b) A program of independent study provided pursuant to NRS 389.155 for pupils who have been suspended or expelled from public school;

(c) A program of distance education provided pursuant to NRS 388.820 to 388.874, inclusive;

(d) Any program of instruction offered pursuant to the provisions of NRS 388.550; or

(e) A challenge school,

if the pupil qualifies for enrollment and is accepted for enrollment in accordance with the requirements of the applicable school or program. A school district or charter school may conduct an investigation of the background of any such pupil to determine if the educational needs of the pupil may be satisfied without undue disruption to the school or program. If an investigation is conducted, the board of trustees of the school district or the governing body of the charter school shall, based on the results of the investigation, determine if the pupil will be allowed to enroll in such a school or program.

3. The provisions of subsections 1 and 2 do not prohibit a pupil from enrolling in a charter school that is designed exclusively for the enrollment of pupils with disciplinary problems if the pupil is accepted for enrollment by the charter school pursuant to NRS 388A.453 or 388A.456. Upon request, the governing body of a charter school must be provided with access to the records of the pupil relating to the pupil's suspension or expulsion in accordance with applicable federal and state law before the governing body makes a decision concerning the enrollment of the pupil.

REGULATIONS

NAC 388.500. "Alternative program" defined.

As used in NAC 388.510 and 388.520, unless the context otherwise requires, "alternative program" means a program operated by a school district in accordance with NRS 388.537 for the education of pupils at risk of dropping out of school.

NAC 388.510. General requirements; effective period.

1. A plan for an alternative program submitted for approval pursuant to NRS 388.537 must be on a form approved by the Department of Education and must address the considerations set forth in NRS 388.537.

2. A plan for an alternative program that is approved pursuant to NRS 388.537 remains in effect for 5 years after the date of approval. The board of trustees of a school district shall update its plan for an alternative program at least once annually if a substantive change is made to the plan.

NAC 388.520. Plan to provide for independent study.

1. An alternative program may include a plan to provide for independent study pursuant to NAC 389.710 to 389.750, inclusive.

2. A plan to provide for independent study must include:

(a) A description of the pupils targeted for enrollment in courses of independent study.

(b) A list of the intended instructors, including an identification of the subject areas that each instructor will teach.

(c) The names of the courses of independent study to be taught.

(d) A plan for maintaining the records of each pupil placed for independent study in accordance with the requirements set forth in NAC 389.720.

(e) A statement of the maximum period allowed to complete the courses of independent study.

(f) A statement of the maximum number of credits that a pupil may earn in courses of independent study.

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