So I still wasn't able to locate any specific trauma-informed policies regarding student conduct. However, I have to say, this has been a remarkable review of varying school districts and how they organize their student handbooks.
Although many schools are still endorsing approaches to supporting traumatized children with frameworks like PBIS (dare I shudder), I was heartened to see a number of school districts being bold enough to "put it out there" by beginning their handbook publications with vision, mission, core belief and guiding principle statements that are VERY TRAUMA-INFORMED.
And I was also expecting to find some "five stars" in places like Colorado, Oregon, and Washington - but not so much.
Here are some that have accomplished some very noteworthy work:
At the Beginning of Their Student Handbook: Baltimore Public Schools, MD
Introduction to their 3 OverArching Themes: Prevention, Logical Consequences, Restoration
Comment: Five Gold Stars (in my opinion) - these people "get it."
At The Beginning of Their Student Handbook: Brockton Public Schools, MA
Core Values and Beliefs: Rigor, Relationships, Relevance (p. 15)
At the Beginning of Their Student Handbook: Metro Nashville Public Schools, TN
5 Guiding Principles
THE WINNER!
At the Beginning of Their Student Handbook: Milwaukee Public Schools, WI
District Vision, Mission, and Core Beliefs
Comment: Five Gold Stars - they even include a parent’s bill of rights and parental rights for non-traditional custodial circumstances (i.e. relative caregiver, foster parent, illegal immigrants, etc). They include language regarding the explicit rights of gender non-conforming students. And the language they use in most of their student conduct policies assumes good intentions or at least minimizes the use of an accusatory tone. These people deserve an award for their progressive work (now if they could just get rid of PBIS).
Happy Nerding Out!