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Infographic: New LAUSD guidelines for minor offenses

By Len De Groot
 and Teresa Watanabe
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The Los Angeles Unified School District is changing the way students are disciplined. School police will no longer issue citations for most campus fights, petty thefts and other minor offenses.

The action reflects growing research that treating minor offenses with police action does not necessarily make campuses safer, but often pushes struggling students to drop out and get in more serious trouble with the law.

Here are the specific guidelines for when students are disciplined at school, referred to community services or police are notified.

Full story: LAUSD to decriminalize student fights, petty thefts and minor offenses

Is it a first offense of: • Marijuana possession?• Alcohol possession?• Vandalism?• Fighting?YESYESYESYESYESYESYESYESYESYESYESYESYESYES Has the situation been resolved?Has the situation been resolved?Does it legally require police notification?Are there campus practices that can resolve it?Is there an immediate threat to the school?Can the incident be resolved using the process at left?Does it qualify for an exception?SCHOOLINTERVENTIONREFER TO CITY OR COMMUNITY PROGRAMSCONTACT LASPDIs the student 12 years or younger?Can a cooling-off period or warning resolve the incident?Can the incident be resolved by involving parents?Would a student discussion group help?Is the violation:• Tobacco posses-sion?• Theft?Is the violation one of the following:• Tobacco possession• Theft (less than $50)• Trespassing• Marijuana possession• Fighting• Alcohol possession• Vandalism (less than $400)• BatteryIs this second or subsequent offense?Is the offense a battery?NOYESYESNONONONONONONONONONONONONONONOpopuppopup
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Len De Groot

As assistant managing editor, Len De Groot oversaw the Data and Graphics department and the editorial development of content management systems from August 2018 to July 2020. He joined the organization in 2013 as the director of Data and Visualization, where he led a transformation of the graphics department into an award-winning, digital-first team. De Groot has been an industry leader in creating and promoting innovative visual journalism.

Teresa Watanabe

Teresa Watanabe covers education for the Los Angeles Times. Since joining the Times in 1989, she has covered immigration, ethnic communities, religion, Pacific Rim business and served as Tokyo correspondent and bureau chief. She also covered Asia, national affairs and state government for the San Jose Mercury News and wrote editorials for the Los Angeles Herald Examiner. A Seattle native, she graduated from USC in journalism and in East Asian languages and culture.

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