Learn how schools address behaviour issues using a progressive discipline approach.
Our approach to making schools safe and accepting involves the whole school. It focuses on:
Schools are also encouraged to build partnerships with community agencies to support prevention and early intervention.
Every school in Ontario must have a progressive discipline policy.
A progressive discipline policy means principals can choose from a range of options to help students:
The goal is to help prevent inappropriate student behaviour from happening again.
When schools use progressive discipline, they should take the following into consideration:
Progressive discipline can include:
Principals will choose an option after looking at individual circumstances and factors such as the student's:
Principals will consider ongoing discussions with students and their parents or guardians when choosing an option that will help the student improve their behaviour and make good choices.
For a student with special education needs, the interventions, supports and consequences must be consistent with the information in the student's Individual Education Plan.
Read the guidance document that school leaders use to support students with special needs through progressive discipline. The guidance has information for students from kindergarten to Grade 12.
In more serious cases, the principal may recommend that the student be expelled or suspended from school.
Students who are suspended:
Schools actively engage parents in the progressive discipline approach by involving them in ongoing conversations about their children's achievement, well-being and behaviour.
When schools and parents are partners, the results include:
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Download and use the parent toolkit to: