COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

P.O. BOX 2120

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA 23218-2120

SUPTS. MEMO NO. 208

October 15, 2004

INFORMATIONAL

TO:	Division Superintendents
FROM:	Jo Lynne DeMary Superintendent of Public Instruction
SUBJECT:	Revised Student Code of Conduct Guidelines

The Board of Education’s Student Conduct Policy Guidelines were first developed in 1994 in response to action by the 1993 General Assembly that required the board to establish such guidelines. The guidelines are intended to aid school boards in developing and implementing student conduct standards and policies and to reference federal and state laws and regulations.

The 2004 General Assembly adopted HB 513 (Marrs) and HB 1331 (Tata) that amended §22.1-279.6. in the Code of Virginia to require self-defense and hazing, respectively, to be included in the guidelines. With the assistance of a statewide representative group, the Virginia Board of Education Student Conduct Policy Guidelines 2004 have been revised in response to this legislation and to reflect best practice principles.

The revised guidelines were approved and adopted by the State Board of Education on September 24, 2004. A copy of the guidelines may be downloaded from the Department of Education’s Web site: http://www.pen.k12.va.us/VDOE/studentsrvcs/

Questions may be directed to Cynthia A. Cave, director of the office of student services, at 804-225-2818 or ccave@mail.vak12ed.edu or Arlene Cundiff, Coordinator, Safe and Drug-Free Schools Program, at 804-225-2871, acundiff@mail.vak12ed.edu.

JLD/adc