Discuss the innovations made in the discipline policies and process within the Metropolitan Nashville Public School District. What were the major innovations? What was the driving force behind the innovations? Why were these innovations important? Be sure to include examples from Nashville’s experience in your answer.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

While the examples provided by students will vary, at a minimum, the following
areas should be addressed. The Metropolitan Nashville Public School District changed
from a zero-tolerance focused student code of conduct to one that incorporates an
inclusive policy. These changes were largely driven by the district’s review of their
school exclusionary policies which showed the disparate impact on many at-risk student
groups and the increasing evidence that indicates that school inclusion improves
learning and school climate. The changes were largely driven by a new disciplinary
philosophy that promoted positive relationships among students and between students
and staff. New interventions, ones that focused on building social and emotional skills
that help build community were developed. The school adopted a graduated response
policy that relied on categorizing specific behaviors into varying levels. Each level had
it’s own response options. The importance of the innovations was that it demonstrated
that changing from zero-tolerance focused codes of conduct can be undertaken and the
results can be meaningful and effective. Examples provided as part of the students’
answers will vary.