every student. every classroom. every day.

Oakland Unified School District

Coherent Governance Policies

Operational Expectations

OE-14

Learning Environment/Treatment of Students

every student. every classroom. every day. 2

OE – 14 The CEO shall establish and maintain a learning environment that is safe, respectful and conducive to effective learning.

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Interpretation of OE-14The CEO shall establish and maintain a learning

environment that is safe, respectful and conducive to effective learning

This policy guides the creation of school systems that deliberately and intentionally focus on relationships and teaching and learning on a human scale by providing quality and efficient support to our schools so that all students can be successful and all students believe that the education they are receiving is preparing them for college. We will know our impact by the experiences of our students as reflected in the following areas:

• Teachers communicate academic expectations to students• Class work is challenging and rigorous• Students feel safe at school• Belief that the education they are receiving is preparing them for college• Adults respect students’ cultural backgrounds• Students respect each other’s culture• Students learn about different cultures• The buildings and grounds are clean most of the time

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OE 14.1 InterpretationA climate that is characterized by support and encouragement of high student achievement

– Learning environment includes:• School settings, events, after school program

– Safe refers to physical, emotional and psychological safety• Unsafe means failing to provide safeguards,

interventions, and remedies to protect students.– Respectful refers to treatment with dignity between

students, staff and community members– Effective learning environment ensures

• the ability of each student to learn at their optimum level without fear,

• And a setting that provides academic rigor and support

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OE 14.1 Evidence of ComplianceA climate that is characterized by support and encouragement of high student achievement

• Rules and procedures in place:– Board Policy & Administrative Regulations 5142

reviewing safety procedures and requirements– Complaints voiced by students are investigated:

• By principal• By Ombudsperson when complaints are put in writing.

• Annual Use Your Voice Survey measuring constituents’ agreement or disagreement with yearly growth targets in each area.

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OE 14.1Evidence of Compliance (cont.)

• Use Your Voice Results– 77% of elementary and 59% of secondary students believe class work is

challenging and rigorous (up from 23.5% elementary and 51.1% secondary in 05-06).

– 80% of our elementary and 66% of our secondary students feel safe at school (up from 64% for elementary and 38.72% for secondary in 05-06).

– Over 80% of all students agree that adults respect students’ cultural backgrounds (No 05-06 data).

– 64% of our elementary and 44% of our secondary students feel that the buildings and grounds at their schools are clean most of the time (up from 21.4% for elementary and 14% for secondary in 05-06).

– Secondary students increased their belief that their bathrooms are clean most of the time from 14% (05-06) to 27% (06-07).• The only decrease from 05-06 to 06-07 was the elementary students

belief in this area from 55.7% (05-06) to 31% (06-07).

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OE 14.1Evidence of Compliance (cont.)

• Suspensions – Since 05-06 suspensions have increased by 1% for

elementary schools, decreased by 0.2% for middle schools, decreased by 3.9% in high schools and decreased by 4.2% in alternative high schools.

– In 06-07 principals were trained in a comprehensive discipline handbook, common guidelines and alternatives to suspension in accordance with the VRP. Early 07-08 data is showing an overall decrease in suspensions.

• Expulsions– From 05-06 to 06-07 expulsions have decreased from 11%

to 5%.– The number of Discipline Hearing Panel hearings has

decreased by 9% from 05-06 to 06-07.

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OE 14.2 InterpretationThe CEO will assure that all confidential student information is properly used and

protected

• Confidential information includes:– Cumulative records, special education records and

AERIES Data

• Data collection, review, transmission and storing is protected from:– Adult volunteers, the general public, student

assistants and staff with no clear professional use of data.

• Student records management and retention are controlled by statute

• Student data is purged periodically to ensure that inappropriate materials do not accumulate.

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OE 14.2 Evidence of ComplianceAssure that all confidential student information is

properly used and protected

• Board Policy and Administrative Regulations 5125 and 5125.1 are in effect and describe the rules for the management of student records, including:– The Superintendent or designee reserving the right to limit or deny

the release of specific information– Notifying parents about the potential release of student information

• Student Data system is password protected and access to data is controlled by the designated custodian of records.

• All district staff members adhere to Ed. Code 49062-49073.5 Allows us to share data with county probation offices; data is only shared pursuant to Ed. Code.

• All consultants requiring student data sign a confidentiality and destruction agreement

• All external parties complete and application to conduct research and to request data

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OE 14.3 InterpretationThe CEO may not tolerate any behaviors, actions or attitudes by adults who have contact with students that hinder the academic

performance or the well-being of students.

• Adults in the school system who interact with students have been cleared as employees or volunteers.

• Actions that communicate disrespectful communication or non-supportive behavior are unacceptable.

• Disrespectful means failing to demonstrate regard for the reasonable needs and viewpoints of students

• Behaviors, actions and attitudes by adults should foster the respect of all students’ cultural background and a belief that at least one adult can provide good advice and support

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OE 14.3 Evidence of ComplianceThe CEO may not tolerate any behaviors, actions or attitudes by adults who have contact with students that hinder the academic

performance or the well-being of students.

• Principals monitor incidents of staff that hinder the performance or well-being of students

• The Use Your Voice survey found that 90% of the elementary students believe that the teacher is respectful of their cultural background. 84% of secondary students felt the same (no data for 05-06).

• 78% and 71% of elementary and secondary students respectively believe there is at least one adult at their school who they can go to for good advice and support (no data for 05-06).

• Board Policy and Administrative Regulation 5142 (Safety) and 5144 (Discipline) are in place.

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OE 14.4Reasonable Interpretation

The CEO may not permit the administration of corporal punishment.

• Corporal punishment defined as the use of excessive force for excessive physical and emotional harm.

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OE 14.4Evidence of Compliance

• Board Policy and Administrative Regulations 5137 ensuring a Positive School climate

• Twenty cases last year had the following outcomes:Terminations or resignations in lieu

of dismissal10

NUC 4

Reprimand 1

Suspension 1

No determination of Corporal Punishment

4

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OE 14.5 Interpretation The CEO may not permit unnecessary or irrelevant

collection of student information

• Collection of student information refers to records or database information that is supplied to individuals or groups requesting information.

• Military and Probation may request students records

• Parents/students must be informed of the opportunity to limit the sharing of personal student data

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OE 14.5 Evidence of Compliance The CEO may not permit unnecessary or irrelevant

collection of student information

• Board Policy and Administrative Regulations 5125.1 limit the release of student records.

• Education Code 48263.5 allows OUSD to share data with county probation offices.

• Only relevant data elements are collected.• Student information is collected in one of our

systems and is stored in the comprehensive data warehouse.

• Parents, guardians, caregivers and secondary students are made aware to follow the “opt out” process.