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Student Management and Discipline
Learn about GISD's approach to student behavior management.
Student management is important for a successful education system. In our district, we focus on positive behavior support, fair discipline, and restoring relationships when things go wrong. We want every student to have a meaningful learning experience.
All schools in Garland ISD use Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports to:
- keep everyone safe
- create positive classrooms where rules are fair and consistently applied
- stop problems as soon as possible
Student Code of Conduct & Handbook
The GISD Student Code of Conduct is required by state law. Its aim is to make sure schools are safe and students learn. When students break the rules, teachers help them think about what they did and how it affects others' learning.
The Code tells us how to handle student behavior, prevent problems, and discipline students when needed. Texas law notes what behaviors might lead to different consequences like being suspended or expelled. The Student Handbook helps people understand the rules but doesn't replace the law.
Garland ISD follows the Standards of Conduct found in the handbook:
S - See Something, Say Something
Report suspicious or unsafe behavior to a trusted adult or anonymously through the Anonymous Alerts system. Students can approach their teacher, counselor, assistant principal, principal, school resource officer (SRO), or armed security officer (ASO).
A - Attendance Matters
Learning is our top priority. Students must attend all classes on time and be present throughout the entire class. Additionally, middle and high school students must always wear their IDs and ensure they are visible.
F - Focus on Learning
Students should be ready to learn the moment they enter school. Students demonstrate this by having their materials ready and participating appropriately in class.
E - Engage Others Positively
Treat others with respect and kindness. Violent or threatening behavior, fighting, and bringing inappropriate items to school will not be tolerated. We want all students in our schools to feel safe and welcome.
To learn more about GISD student and staff safety, visit our Student and Staff Safety page.
Resources
Student management decisions will always comply with Ch. 37 of the Texas Education Code, ensuring a safe and secure environment for learning. View the tools that our district uses when making student management decisions:
- Education Code Chapter 37. Disciple; Law and Order
- Texas School Safety Center (TxSCC)
- Gun Safety video by Harris County DA (in English and Spanish)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Expand AllI heard that a student committed a discipline offense, and they did not receive a consequence. Is that true?
School districts are limited in the information they can share about behaviors and consequences with the campus community due to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
Is it true that some students get away with more discipline offenses because they have special accommodations that allow them to misbehave and stay on campus?
As a public school system, Garland ISD must make available a free and appropriate public education (FAPE) for all students.
By law, students eligible for a Special Education Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or Section 504 must have their disability/impairment considered before being placed in an alternative educational setting. Therefore, disciplinary placements may be required as outlined in the Texas Education Code, considering the circumstances involved. If the alternative setting constitutes a change of placement, a Manifestation Determination Review ARD meeting is held to determine if the student’s conduct is a manifestation of their disability.
If a student’s conduct is not a manifestation of their disability, the disciplinary recommendation is upheld. If a student’s misconduct is a manifestation of their disability, the student cannot be placed in an alternative educational setting according to TEC 37.004. Special education exceptions include the possession or use of drugs, possession of a weapon, or infliction of serious bodily injury on school premises or at a school function.
When students exhibit serious behavior, they do not receive consequences. Why is the district not punishing students more?
School districts are limited in what they can share about behaviors and consequences with the campus community due to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. Just because a campus does not notify the greater community, does not mean consequences were not dealt.
When students violate the Garland ISD Student Code of Conduct, the infraction is reviewed, and consequences are assigned accordingly. The Texas Education Code guides Garland ISD campus consequences.
When students engage in certain behaviors, they are assigned a consequence which can include disciplinary alternative educational placement. When consequences are at the discretion of the campus administrator, the administrator uses Chapter 37 to weigh mitigating factors and determine an appropriate course of action.
Even for mandatory alternative placements, Garland ISD is required by law to consider mitigating factors:
- intent or lack of intent at the time the student engaged in the conduct
- the student’s disciplinary history
- a disability that substantially impairs the student’s capacity to appreciate the wrongfulness of the student’s conduct
- self-defense
- a student’s status in the conservatorship of the Department of Family and Protective Services (foster care)
- a student’s status as homeless
Why are students who exhibit severe behaviors allowed to return to campus?
The Texas Education Code outlines what types of behavior “shall” or “may” result in a placement at an alternative education program. While the length of placement is determined by the campus or district, it is not an option for a student to be placed indefinitely in an alternative setting. Out of School suspension placements are limited to 3 days per infraction and a school expulsion may not exceed one year according to TEC Chapter 37.
If my student makes a threat will he go to the Alternative Education Center?
Yes. Your student can be placed at the Alternative Education Center if they make a threat against any person, campus, or building in GISD, in person, through social media, in a text message, or any other form of communication during or outside of school hours. It is important for parents to let their students know that all threats will be taken seriously in Garland ISD. Students who make threats are subject to serious disciplinary consequences within the district, and in some cases, may be arrested by local law enforcement.
Contact us
For more information, contact Student Engagement and Support Services (SESS):