Student Code of Conduct

Cassidy Tiehen
July 28, 2021
EAD 513
Dr. Jimmy Hattabaugh
Student Code of Conduct Background

The Lincoln Academy is a K4-12 public charter school centered in a low-income

community filled with hope and ready-to-be-educated students. There are currently 400 students

enrolled in K4-2 and 6-9 grade. As the school develops, more grade levels will be added. The

demographics of the community that The Lincoln Academy sits in are, 23% of people are in

poverty and 9.5% of people are without health insurance. This is a high needs area that can really

benefit from a positive school culture with strong expectations to provide life-long learners.

Student Code of Conduct Value Statement

The Lincoln Academy strives to provide an engaging, safe, and positive learning

environment where students and staff can collaborate for life-long learning. It it is crucial to

create a welcoming, comfortable, and safe environment for students to learn without disruptions.

The Lincoln Academy believes all children can and will master fundamental academic skills

with exploring careers and generating a strong character. As a unified building, students and staff

are expected to model the following behaviors and expectations:

L- Lead with Kindness

I- Include Others

O- Own Your Actions and Education

N- Nurtured Learners

S- Show Respect

Staff and students are expected to demonstrate and model these behaviors to provide a

welcoming, comfortable, and safe environment. For students to be expected to follow the code of

conduct, staff and teachers must model the expectations for them. Students must be taught self-
reflection, accountability, and problem-solving skills. Providing the students with opportunities

for growth and practice of the necessary skills and behaviors will allow for reflection and

positive success.

Student Code of Conduct Topics

Developing a student code of conduct would not only involve students and parents, but

also stakeholders and various community members. When developing the code of conduct, it is

important to create a clear and concise outline for families and community members to

understand. Although outlining expectations is crucial, it is also important to have positive and

uplifting supports for those that may struggle to abide by the code (Georgia Department of

Education, 2021). In the outline of expectations, it is important to include general principals such

as:

1. Attendance: Students should be present in school as much as possible. The more time a

student is in a classroom, the more likely they are to be engaged in their learning. Students can

use 10 excused absence days for circumstances.

2. Dress Code: Even though school uniforms are not required, it is expected that students follow

a modest dress code. The specific dress code will be laid out in detail within the student

handbook.

3. Bullying and Harassment: Bullying and harassment is serious offense and will not be

handled lightly. If a student is being bullied or harassed, they must report to administration so

that proper next steps can be taken.

Students and families will be asked to fill out a technology contract that outlines online ethics

and expectations.

5. Respect: It is expected that every individual in the learning environment, receives and gives

respect. This will be accomplished and modeled through Character Education each day.

6. Search and Seizure: Proper search and seizure procedures must be followed. This policy

prevents any misunderstanding about personal rights regarding searching possessions.

7. Fighting: Students are expected to alert an adult when conflict may arise. Students are

discouraged from fighting and will receive strict consequences if fighting does occur.

Narrative

As a unified building with a shared vision and goal, it is our upmost duty to provide a

safe, engaging, and fun learning environment. When developing the process and procedures, it is

crucial to include all stakeholders for diverse perspectives and inputs. It is also important to

include that any policy or procedure that is included, is also modeled each day for students to

learn and grow from. A Student Code of Conduct allows students to be aware of the expectations

that are enforced to ensure their physical and mental wellbeing. When creating my code of

conduct, I kept this quote from Derrick Meador in mind, “It is also important to realize that every

school is different. They have different needs, and their students have different issues. A policy

that will work in one district, may not be as effective in another district (2019, p 1).”

When creating a Code of Conduct, it is crucial to keep the behavior management system

in mind. A huge part of growth is student reflection and opportunity for accountability. Although
students should be accountable for their actions, it is also important to keep in mind that a

consequence should be a result of their direct action. This allows for students to see black and

white expectations. “Match consequences with the severity of the misbehavior. Codes should list

separately minor and severe misbehavior with the resulting disciplinary action. Codes

constructed in this format allow students to immediately identify the range of actions, from loss

of privileges to expulsion, that may result from misbehavior (Georgia Department of Education,

2021).” I would plan to build a team of stakeholders that are diverse and believe in the

importance of a safe learning environment for students.

The Student Code of Conduct must align with the school’s mission and vision to bring

solidarity and unification across the building. This allows for policies and procedures to be

implemented that are equitable and diverse while following the guidelines that stakeholders have

deemed important. Inclusion, differentiated, and scaffolding instruction, and equity ensures that

all students are accounted for in the disciplinary action plan. If the expectations for positive

behaviors are reinforced, students will be more likely to demonstrate them. If the group

constructing the Code of Conduct is honest, insightful, transparent, and positive then the school

and community climate will reflect the positive and procedures enforced. All of these points and

reasons will allow for a Code of Conduct to reflect and promote a positive, safe, and engaging

learning environment that promotes students physical and mental health.

Georgia Department of Education. (2011). Student Code of Conduct. Office of Whole Child

Supports. https://www.gadoe.org/wholechild/Pages/Student-Code-of-Conduct.aspx.

Meador, D. (2019, July 3). 10 policies You Should Have in your Student Handbook. ThoughtCo.

https://www.thoughtco.com/ten-essential-policies-for-your-student-handbook-3194524.

The Lincoln Academy. Vision and Core Beliefs. The Lincoln Academy. (2021).

https://www.thelincolnacademybeloit.com/blank-6.

U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Beloit city, Wisconsin. (n.d.). Www.census.gov.