10 Key Changes To The Fairfax County Student Handbook

FAIRFAX, VA — The Fairfax County School Board approved changes to the student handbook on Thursday, July 11. The revised handbook goes into effect for the 2019-2020 school year with emphasis on changes to student discipline.

"We recognized the importance of taking a fresh look at the SR&R to be more responsive to the changing needs of our students," said School Board Chair Karen Corbett Sanders in a statement. "We will hold students accountable for their behavior in a supportive school climate that considers their social, emotional, and behavioral needs."

Here are the key changes:

1. Attendance is removed from "disruptive or inappropriate behavior" for which students may be disciplined.
2. Parents are notified of general searches or individual searches of student belongings.
3. If discipline with suspension involves a student with an intellectual or developmental disability, school staff cannot request a statement from the student until a parent has been provided notice.
4. The language describing the codes has been changed from "disorderly conduct" to "disruptive behavior."
5. All staff must report allegations of discrimination as noted in section about students' right to submit complaints.
6. Language added to clarify that it's voluntary to provide a verbal or written student response to any staff questions.
7. No student aged 8 or younger shall be asked to write a statement.
8. Students may be allowed to participate in convocation and graduation ceremonies even if they're temporarily removed from activities removal from activities as part of discipline.
9. Vaping of any substance and vaping products added to the list of alcohol, tobacco, and other drug violations.
10. THC oil is added to the list of prohibited drugs.

See the full list of changes at the top of the revised student handbook.