San Francisco Unified School District and County Office of Education
Administrative Regulation 6159.4
Behavioral Interventions For Special Education Students
This Administrative Regulation applies to the San Francisco Unified School District and the County Office of Education.
Generally, any student identified as a student with a disability pursuant to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), 20 U.S.C. §§1400 et seq., is subject to the same disciplinary measures applicable to all students for violations of the code of conduct, except when the student’s behavior is determined to be a manifestation of his/her disability.
However, when the behavior of a student with a disability impedes his/her learning or the learning of others, the student’s individualized education program (IEP) team shall consider the use of positive behavioral interventions and supports and other strategies consistent with 20 U.S.C.§ 1414(d) to address the student’s behavior. (Educ. Code § 56521.2; 34 C.F.R. § 300.324)
If, pursuant to a manifestation determination conducted as specified in 34 C.F.R. § 300.530, the student’s behavior is determined to be a manifestation of his/her disability, the IEP team shall conduct a functional behavioral assessment (FBA) and implement a behavioral intervention plan (BIP) for the student. If a BIP is already in place for the student, the IEP team shall review and modify the BIP to address the student’s behavior. (Educ. Code § 56520; 34 C.F.R. §§ 300.324, 300.530)
In addition, when the disciplinary removal of a student with a disability will result in a change in the student’s placement as specified in 34 C.F.R. § 300.530, the student shall receive, as appropriate, an FBA and behavioral intervention services and modifications designed to address the student’s behavior so that it does not recur. (34 C.F.R. § 300.530)
Functional Behavioral Assessment
Any FBA to be conducted for a student with a disability shall focus on identifying the function or purpose of the student’s behavior.
Before any FBA is conducted, the Superintendent of designee shall notify the student’s parent/guardian in accordance with Educ. Code § 56321 and obtain the parent/guardian’s consent. (Educ. Code § 56321; 34 C.F.R. § 300.324)
If the parent/guardian disagrees with the result of an FBA, he/she has the right to obtain an independent educational evaluation at District expense, subject to the conditions specified in 34 C.F.R. § 300.502.
Behavioral Intervention Plan and Services
When any behavioral intervention, support, or other strategy is to be used by the District, the Superintendent or designee shall consider the student’s physical freedom and social interaction, administer the intervention, support, or other strategy in a manner that respects the student’s dignity and personal privacy, and ensure the student’s right to be placed in the least restrictive educational environment. (Educ. Code § 56520)
When a student for whom a BIP is to be developed is also the responsibility of another agency for residential care or related services, the Superintendent or designee shall cooperate with the other agency to ensure that the BIP, to the extent possible, is implemented in a consistent manner. (Educ. Code § 56520)
Behavior assessments and behavioral intervention services shall be provided only by individuals who possess the qualifications specified in Educ. Code § 56520 or 5 C.C.R. § 3051.23.
Emergency Interventions
Emergency interventions may be used only to control unpredictable, spontaneous behavior that poses clear and present danger of serious physical harm to the student or others and that cannot be immediately prevented by a response less restrictive than the temporary application of a technique used to contain the behavior. Emergency interventions shall not be used as a substitute for a systematic BIP that is designed to change, replace, modify, or eliminate a targeted behavior. (Educ. Code § 56521.1)
No emergency intervention shall be used for longer than is necessary to contain the behavior. For any situation that requires a prolonged use of an emergency intervention, staff shall seek assistance of the principal or law enforcement agency, as applicable to the situation. (Educ. Code § 56521.1)
Emergency interventions shall not involve the use of force exceeding what is reasonable and necessary under the circumstances. In addition, use of locked seclusion or a device, material, or objects that simultaneously immobilize all hands and feet shall not be allowed except as allowed by law. (Educ. Code § 56521.1)
Parents/guardians and, if appropriate, residential care providers shall be notified within one school day whenever emergency intervention is used or serious property damage occurs. A behavior emergency report shall immediately be completed, kept in the student’s file, and forwarded to the Superintendent or designee for review. This report shall include all of the following information: (Educ. Code § 56521.1)
- The name and age of the student;
- The setting and location of the incident;
- The name of the staff or other persons involved;
- A description of the incident and the emergency intervention used;
- A statement of whether the student is currently engaged in a systematic BIP; and
- Details of any injuries sustained by the student or others, including staff, as a result of the incident.
If the behavior emergency report is for a student who does not have a BIP, the Superintendent or designee shall, within two days, schedule an IEP team meeting to review the emergency report, determine the necessity for an FBA, and determine the necessity for an interim BIP. The IEP team shall document the reasons for not conducting the FBA and/or not developing the interim BIP. (Educ. Code § 56521.1)
If the behavior emergency report is for a student who has a BIP, any incident involving a previously unseen serious behavior problem or where a previously designed intervention is not effective shall be referred to the IEP team. The IEP team shall review the incident and determine whether the student’s plan needs to be modified. (Educ. Code § 56521.1)
Prohibited Interventions
The District prohibits the use of corporal punishment as defined in Educ. Code § 49001 as an intervention. In addition, the District prohibits all of the following: (Educ. Code § 56521.2)
- Any intervention designed or likely to cause physical pain, including, but not limited to, electric shock;
- Any intervention that involves the release of noxious, toxic, or otherwise unpleasant sprays, mists, or substances near the student’s face;
- Any intervention that denies adequate sleep, food, water, shelter, bedding, physical comfort, or access to bathroom facilities;
- Any intervention that is designed to subject, used to subject, or likely to subject the student to verbal abuse, ridicule, or humiliation or that can be expected to cause excessive emotional trauma;
- Any restrictive intervention that uses a device, material, or objects which simultaneously immobilize all hands and feet, including the procedure known as prone containment, except that prone containment or similar techniques may be used by trained staff as a limited emergency intervention;
- Locked seclusion, unless in a facility otherwise licensed or permitted by state law to use a locked room;
- Any intervention that precludes adequate supervision of the student; or
- Any intervention that deprives the student of one or more of his/her senses.
Legal Reference:
Cal. Educ. Code §§
- 49001 Prohibition of corporal punishment
- 56321 Notice of parental rights; consent of parents
- 56500-56508 Procedural safeguards, including due process rights
- 56520-56525 Behavioral interventions
Cal. Code of Regulations, Title 5
- 3065 Staff qualifications – related services
20 U.S.C. §§ 1400 et seq., Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
- 20 U.S.C. § 1412 State eligibility
- 20 U.S.C. § 1415 Procedural safeguards
34 C.F.R. Part 300—Assistances to State for the Education of Children with Disabilities
Board Policy References (if adopted)
- 5131—Conduct
- 5144—Discipline
- 5144.2—Suspension and Expulsion/Due Process (Students with Disabilities)
- 5145.6—Parental Notifications
- 6159—Individualized Education Program
- 6159.1—Procedural Safeguards and Complaints for Special Education
Please note that compare references, or “cf”, refer to CSBA model policies and do not necessarily indicate that the San Francisco Unified School District has adopted the referenced policy.