Delaware School Climate Policy

 

 

There are 39 school districts in Delaware which support 224 schools. In the 2020-2021 school year, there were 138,414 students enrolled in K-12 in Delaware public schools. Approximately 38% of students in Delaware public schools are eligible to receive free or reduced-price lunches. Delaware has one policy that addresses school climate directly which states that surveys are encouraged. The state has policies that support bullying prevention, including a policy directly addressing bullying prevention in athletics. Policies include the implementation of emergency response systems, suicide awareness and prevention, service learning, non-discrimination, and teacher training in how to support students. Delaware has two policies addressing digital citizenship; The Delaware Educational Technology Standards for Teachers and The Digital Citizenship Education Act.

Safety

DE-School Climate Survey.

School Climate surveys in Delaware are encouraged. It is administered to students, staff/teachers, and parents. Survey instruments and related resources, including interpretation guidelines and post-survey action planning tools, are publicly available on the Delaware Positive Behavior Support website.

http://www.delawarepbs.org/de-school-climate-survey/

https://safesupportivelearning.ed.gov/survey/delaware-school-climate-survey


Who does this protect? Students, Administrators, Staff

Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? Yes

Delaware Code 14-4161 Definitions.

Defines the term bullying and actions that are with bullying.

https://law.justia.com/codes/delaware/2021/title-14/chapter-41/subchapter-ii/section-4161/

Delaware Administrative Code 14- 624-2.0-Definition of Cyberbullying.

Provides a definition for the term cyberbullying and actions that are associated with cyberbullying.

https://regulations.justia.com/states/delaware/title-14/600/624/624-2-0/

Delaware asks schools to develop and implement procedures to prevent bullying and harassment behavior and the consequences of such behavior. Policies also explain that procedures are needed for reporting an incidence of bullying and investigating it as well as how this policy will be communicated.

  • Delaware Code 14-4164 School bullying awareness and prevention; criminal youth gang detection.

https://law.justia.com/codes/delaware/2021/title-14/chapter-41/subchapter-ii/section-4164/

  • Delaware Code 14-4112A Office of School Criminal Offense and Bullying Ombudsperson.

https://law.justia.com/codes/delaware/2021/title-14/chapter-41/subchapter-i/section-4112a/

  • Delaware Administrative Code 14-624-1.0 Cyberbullying forbidden. 

https://regulations.justia.com/states/delaware/title-14/600/624/624-1-0/

Delaware Administrative Code 14-1007-1.0 Definitions and Sportsmanship.

Develop and implement policies for their interscholastic athletic programs to discourage acts of bullying, hazing, and taunting.

https://regulations.justia.com/states/delaware/title-14/1000/1007/1007-1-0/

Delaware Code 14-4164 School bullying awareness and prevention; criminal youth gang detection.

Delaware anti-bullying laws cover conduct that occurs on- and off-school property. Also states that the place of origin of speech otherwise constituting cyberbullying is not material to whether it is considered cyberbullying, nor is the use of school district or charter school materials.

https://law.justia.com/codes/delaware/2021/title-14/chapter-41/subchapter-ii/section-4164/


Who does this protect? Students, Teachers

Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? Yes

Delaware schools need to develop plans for dealing with emergencies and explain drills that need to take place during the school year.

  • Delaware Code 29-8237 Omnibus School Safety Act. 

https://law.justia.com/codes/delaware/2021/title-29/chapter-82/section-8237/

  • Delaware Code 14-4109 School property; health and safety requirements.

https://law.justia.com/codes/delaware/2021/title-14/chapter-41/subchapter-i/section-4109/

Delaware Administrative Code 14-601-3.0 Schools and Law Enforcement Agencies.

All local school districts, charter schools, and Alternative Programs shall establish a written policy on effectively communicating and working with law enforcement agencies. Each school district, charter school, and Alternative Program shall develop a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with each law enforcement agency that provides services to it.

https://regulations.justia.com/states/delaware/title-14/600/601/601-3-0/

Delaware Administrative Code 14-603 Compliance with the Gun-Free Schools Act.

Each school district and charter school shall have a written policy implementing the Gun-Free Schools Act.

https://regulations.justia.com/states/delaware/title-14/600/603/603-1-0/

Delaware Code 27-2705 Powers and duties.

Lists the duties and powers of a constable who has less policing authority than peace officers.

https://law.justia.com/codes/delaware/2021/title-10/chapter-27/section-2705/


Who does this protect? Students, Staff

Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? No

Delaware Code 14-4164 School bullying awareness and prevention; criminal youth gang detection.

Each school district and charter school shall establish a policy that will include a procedure for communication between school staff members and medical professionals who are involved in treating students for bullying issues.

https://law.justia.com/codes/delaware/2021/title-14/chapter-41/subchapter-ii/section-4164/

Delaware Administrative Code 14-609-4.0 District and School-Based Intervention Services.

Each school district shall provide services for students whose behavior disrupts the classroom setting and creates distractions that impede the learning process, but who are not eligible for placement in an alternative program. School districts may offer such services based on the identified needs of the district and its schools, subject to the requirements of this regulation.

https://regulations.justia.com/states/delaware/title-14/600/609/609-4-0/

 Delaware Administrative Code 14-103-7.0 Accountability for Schools that are Under Improvement.

 Districts may partner with parents and parent organizations, faith- and community-based organizations, health clinics, other State or local agencies, and others to create safe school environments that meet students’ social, emotional, and health needs.

https://regulations.justia.com/states/delaware/title-14/100/103/103-7-0/

 Delaware Code 14-4165 Suicide awareness and prevention.

States in each school district and charter school need to develop and implement suicide awareness and prevention policies. Provides a list of what the policy needs to include.

https://law.justia.com/codes/delaware/2021/title-14/chapter-41/subchapter-ii/section-4165/


Who does this protect? Students and Staff

Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? Yes

Teaching/Learning

Delaware provides students with disabilities the accommodations and resources they need to have an appropriate education.

  • Delaware Code 14- 3122 Identification and reporting of a child with a disability.

https://law.justia.com/codes/delaware/2021/title-14/chapter-31/subchapter-iii/section-3122/

  • Delaware Code 14- 3121 Special classes and facilities.

https://law.justia.com/codes/delaware/2021/title-14/chapter-31/subchapter-iii/section-3121/

Delaware Administrative Code 14- 507-3.0 – Student Success Plans.

All students in grades 8 through 12 will have opportunities to learn about career and industry trends and earning potentials, such as career speakers, work-based learning opportunities, career, and technical student organization activities, and career compass activities.

https://regulations.justia.com/states/delaware/title-14/500/507/507-3-0/


Who does this protect? Students, Students with disabilities

Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? Yes

Delaware Code 14-8901A Purpose.

This explains the purpose of the Delaware Volunteerism Act, which is that instilling the spirit of volunteerism at a young age might continue displaying that spirit later in life. 

https://law.justia.com/codes/delaware/2021/title-14/chapter-89a/section-8901a/

Delaware Code 14-8902A Provisions.

A student in grades 9-12 who performs voluntary community service for at least 45 hours per semester for 2 semesters shall receive 1 Delaware Volunteer credit. Students will be told about the different volunteering opportunities available through the school’s guidance counseling program.

https://law.justia.com/codes/delaware/2021/title-14/chapter-89a/section-8902a/


Who does this protect? Students

Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? No

Interpersonal Relationships

Delaware Administrative Code 14-220-2.0 Diversity.

Each school district will describe in district success plans and school success plans how disparities and gaps in student achievement associated with the student’s gender, race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, limited English proficiency, or disability will be identified and eliminated.

https://regulations.justia.com/states/delaware/title-14/200/220/220-2-0/

Delaware Administrative Code 14- 225-1.0 – Prohibition of Discrimination.

No person in the State of Delaware shall based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, genetic information, marital status, disability, age, or Vietnam Era veteran’s status be unlawfully excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving approval or financial assistance from or through the Delaware Department of Education.

https://regulations.justia.com/states/delaware/title-14/200/225/225-1-0/


Who does this protect? Students, Staff

Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? No

Delaware Code 14- 4112F Limitations on use of seclusion and restraint.

School resource officers will receive awareness training programs from their school district or charter school. Training will include best practices for de-escalation techniques, disability awareness, and behaviors that may manifest as a result of disabilities.

https://law.justia.com/codes/delaware/2021/title-14/chapter-41/subchapter-i/section-4112f/

 Delaware Code 14- 4162 Child safety awareness, prevention, and other nonacademic training.

Each school district and charter school shall require its employees to receive 12.5 hours of training every 3 years consisting of school bullying prevention and criminal youth gang detection, suicide prevention training, and evidence-based nonacademic training programs.

https://law.justia.com/codes/delaware/2021/title-14/chapter-41/subchapter-ii/section-4162/

Delaware Code 14-703 Student discipline report; school discipline improvement plan.

The plan may increase or improve professional development opportunities for educators, administrators, and staff. Components of such professional development may include

  • Trauma-informed care
  • Cultural competency 
  • Implicit bias awareness
  • Restorative practices 

This is only necessary if the school meets a certain threshold which is explained in the policy.

https://law.justia.com/codes/delaware/2021/title-14/chapter-7/section-703/

Delaware Administrative Code 14-220-2.0 Diversity.

Each school district will provide professional development to equip all teachers with various instructional techniques and best practices.

https://regulations.justia.com/states/delaware/title-14/200/220/220-2-0/

 


Who does this protect? Staff and Students

Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? No

Delaware Administrative Code 14- 508-1.0 – Purpose.

Each local education agency shall implement procedures to determine when a student requires scientific, evidence-based interventions within a Multi-Tiered System of Support.

https://regulations.justia.com/states/delaware/title-14/500/508/508-1-0/

Delaware Administrative Code 14-609-4.0 District and School-Based Intervention Services.

Each school district shall provide services for students whose behavior disrupts the classroom setting and creates distractions that impede the learning process, but who are not eligible for placement in an alternative program. School districts may offer such services based on the identified needs of the district and its schools, subject to the requirements of this regulation.

https://regulations.justia.com/states/delaware/title-14/600/609/609-4-0/

Delaware Administrative Code 14-103-7.0 Accountability for Schools that are Under Improvement.

Districts may partner with parents and parent organizations, faith- and community-based organizations, health clinics, other State or local agencies, and others to create safe school environments that meet students’ social, emotional, and health needs.

https://regulations.justia.com/states/delaware/title-14/100/103/103-7-0/

Delaware Administrative Code 14-220-2.0 Diversity.

Each school district will infuse information on diverse cultural groups throughout the K to 12 curricula to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to participate productively in a culturally diverse society.

https://regulations.justia.com/states/delaware/title-14/200/220/220-2-0/


Who does this protect? Students

Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? Yes

Institutional Environments

Delaware Administrative Code 14-103-7.0 Accountability for Schools that are Under Improvement.

Districts may partner with parents and parent organizations, faith- and community-based organizations, health clinics, other State or local agencies, and others to create safe school environments that meet students’ social, emotional, and health needs.

https://regulations.justia.com/states/delaware/title-14/100/103/103-7-0/

Delaware Code 14-157 Parental involvement in education expectations of parents expectations of schools and school personnel.

The Department of Education shall encourage local school districts and schools to adopt the Parents’ Declaration of Responsibilities as local policy and to encourage parents at the beginning of each school year to execute an agreement to commit themselves to carry out, to the best of their abilities, the responsibilities outlined in the Declaration.

https://law.justia.com/codes/delaware/2021/title-14/chapter-1/subchapter-iii/section-157/

Delaware Code 14-1605A Prevention component.

The Family Services Cabinet Council, with the Department of Education and the Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families acting as lead agencies shall administer a program to offer prevention-related student support services (prevention services) to students to prevent them from becoming discipline problems and from failing academically in our schools. For example, outreach programs promote parental, family, and community involvement in students’ academic studies.

https://law.justia.com/codes/delaware/2021/title-14/chapter-16/section-1605a/


Who does this protect? Parents, Students

Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? Yes

Delaware schools need to develop plans for dealing with emergencies and explain drills that need to take place during the school year.

  • Delaware Code 29-8237 Omnibus School Safety Act. 

https://law.justia.com/codes/delaware/2021/title-29/chapter-82/section-8237/

  • Delaware Code 14-4109 School property; health and safety requirements.

https://law.justia.com/codes/delaware/2021/title-14/chapter-41/subchapter-i/section-4109/

Delaware Administrative Code 14-601-3.0 Schools and Law Enforcement Agencies.

All local school districts, charter schools, and Alternative Programs shall establish a written policy on effectively communicating and working with law enforcement agencies. Each school district, charter school, and Alternative Program shall develop a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with each law enforcement agency that provides services to it.

https://regulations.justia.com/states/delaware/title-14/600/601/601-3-0/

 Delaware Administrative Code 14-603 Compliance with the Gun-Free Schools Act.

Each school district and charter school shall have a written policy implementing the Gun-Free Schools Act.

https://regulations.justia.com/states/delaware/title-14/600/603/603-1-0/

 Delaware Code 27-2705 Powers and duties.

Lists the duties and powers of a constable who has less policing authority than peace officers.

https://law.justia.com/codes/delaware/2021/title-10/chapter-27/section-2705/


Who does this protect? Students, Staff

Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? No

 

There is no current policy surrounding Social Inclusion in the state of Delaware. For more information on school climate please visit us at Services – National School Climate Center

Social Media

Delaware Administrative Code 14-1599-3.0 Delaware Educational Technology Standard for Teachers.

Requires teachers to promote and model digital citizenship and responsibility to their students.

https://regulations.justia.com/states/delaware/title-14/1500/1599/1599-3-0/

Senate Bill 195 – The Digital Citizenship Education Act.

This Act requires the Department of Education to develop and maintain evidence-based media literacy standards for use by school districts and charter schools serving students in grades K through 12.

https://medialiteracynow.org/your-state-legislation-2/delaware-legislation/


Who does this protect? Students

Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? No

There is currently no policy surrounding Leadership in Delaware. For more information on school climate please visit us at Services – National School

There is currently no policy surrounding Professional Relationships in Delaware. For more information on school climate please visit us at Services – National School

Sources include: nasbe.org and childtrends.org