Behavior Plan   

Texas School of the Arts strives to create a positive learning environment for all students.  Through teaching our behavior expectations and focusing on positive character development, we do our best to provide a school in which every student can grow academically, emotionally, and socially.

Social Emotional Learning

Social Emotional Learning is the process through which students learn and apply the social and emotional skills needed to develop a positive self-image, manage their emotions, show empathy and compassion for others, create and maintain healthy relationships with others, and make sound decisions.

TeSA utilizes Tribes Learning Communities as the official Social/Emotional Learning (SEL) program in the classroom and across the campus. The Tribes program blends the fields of school change, learning theory, prevention and resiliency, cooperative learning, and group process. All students will learn and develop positive character traits through active participation in the four Tribes agreements:


● Attentive Listening

● Appreciations/No Put Downs

● Right to Pass/Right to Participate

● Mutual Respect


Positive Behavior Interventions and Support

Positive Behavior Interventions and Support (PBIS) is an evidence-based, positive approach used to improve school safety and promote positive behavior. Within its three-tiered framework, PBIS integrates all of the campus systems, data, and procedures for academic, social, and emotional growth. Tier 1 establishes a foundation of continuous, proactive support, with a focus of preventing unwanted behaviors.  Tier 2 focuses more on students who are at risk for developing more serious issues. Lastly, Tier 3 provides students with more intense, individualized support to improve their behavior and/or academic performance.

As part of PBIS, TeSA uses the acronym STAR to define both student characteristics and behaviors. STAR can also be used in specific content areas to provide directions and support.  For example:

TeSA Students Characteristics: TeSA Behavior Categories:

Self-Aware Safety for All

Teachable TeSA Rules & Policies

Artistic Aggression toward Self or Others

Respectful Responsibility for Learning Tools & Materials



STAR Behavior Log

All teachers will review behavior expectations frequently throughout the school year.  At the end of each day, the homeroom teachers will mark each child’s STAR Behavior Log with a sticker/stamp to indicate all behavior expectations were met in the core academic classes, or the letter corresponding to one of the above STAR Behavior Categories to indicate an infraction.

When a student engages in prohibited conduct, they will receive a private verbal warning.  If the behavior continues, the STAR letter most closely corresponding to the infraction will be recorded in the STAR Behavior Log, which will come home every day.  Depending on the severity of the action, there may also be minor disciplinary action assigned.  Parents are expected to view the log every day, allowing them to be involved as active participants in their child’s expected behavior.   

Fine Arts/P.E. Behavior

The Art, Dance, Music, Theatre, and P.E. Teachers will utilize a paper form for all discipline infractions.  Unless there are extenuating circumstances, infractions will not be noted in the students’ STAR Behavior Log.  Behavior during Fine Arts/P.E. classes will be reflected in the citizenship category of the grading rubric for each class.


Office Referrals

In the case of a major infraction or frequent/escalating minor infractions, teachers may complete an Office Referral, escalating the incident(s) to the Principal.  All Office Referrals will result in parent contact, and may also warrant disciplinary action.  


Citizenship Grades


A child’s citizenship grade on the report card is determined by how many infractions they committed in a grading period.   The citizenship grades are as follows:



Extracurricular Field trips and Special Occasions


Any student who earns an N or U in Citizenship (5 or more infractions) prior to an extracurricular field trip or special occasion must have their parent or guardian attend with the class. If a parent or guardian is not able to attend the field trip or special occasion, then the student will not participate, and will be given an alternative assignment/activity. 


All students will be invited to attend curriculum-based field trips and activities, regardless of their discipline record.  Parents/guardians may be strongly encouraged to attend when needed due to behavioral concerns.  Parents/guardians may always opt out of field trips and special occasions if they chose. 


Student Code of Conduct

Additional information about infractions, investigations, disciplinary actions, and appeals can be found in the Student Code of Conduct section of the TeSA Student Handbook.  Below is the list of prohibited conduct and the STAR category most closely aligned.  All questions should be directed to the Campus Principal. 


General Student Behavior


1. Cursing, using offensive language, name calling, ethnic, racial or gender slurs, other derogatory statements, or yelling;

Aggression toward Self or Others

2. Disrespectful behavior towards adults;

TeSA Rules & Policies

3. Failure to follow directives;

TeSA Rules & Policies

4. Disruption of instruction or other school activities or operations;

TeSA Rules & Policies

5. Unexcused or excessive tardiness;

TeSA Rules & Policies

6. False statements or false accusations;

Aggression toward Self or Others

7. Bullying (including cyberbullying), teasing, or targeting other students;

Aggression toward Self or Others

8. Inappropriate cell phone or electronic media use;

TeSA Rules & Policies

Violation of School Rules and Policies


9. Failure to comply with the Student Handbook, or other School or campus rules;

TeSA Rules & Policies

10. Leaving the classroom, school building, mandatory school activities or events, or adult supervision without permission;

Safety for All

11. Skipping a class period or other mandatory activity, in whole or in part, without permission;

Safety for All

12. Violation of School or campus policies or rules related to the use of electronic media, including personal or School-owned electronic devices (e.g., cell phones, tablets, game systems, computers, cameras), or the School’s network or Internet connection;

Responsibility for Learning Tools & Materials

13. Truancy or other failure to attend school without excuse;

TeSA Rules & Policies

14. Defacing, destroying or otherwise modifying School property without authorization;

Responsibility for Learning Tools & Materials

15. Taking photographs or making video or audio recordings of students, employees, or other persons without the consent of the other person;

Aggression toward Self or Others

16. Soliciting or attempting to solicit another student to violate the Code, School policies and rules, or the law;

TeSA Rules & Policies

17. Taking steps toward violation of the Code even if the act is not completed, as determined by an appropriate School administrator;

TeSA Rules & Policies

18. Failing to follow school directives and classroom rules and expectations;

TeSA Rules & Policies

19. Disobeying rules and expectations regarding school transportation;

Safety for All

20. Inappropriate or unauthorized use of School property, including posting or distributing literature or materials without School authorization;

Responsibility for Learning Tools & Materials

Violent, Illegal, and Other Serious Offenses


21. Possession of prohibited items;

TeSA Rules & Policies

22. Conduct which meets the elements of a criminal offense, as determined by the School;

TeSA Rules & Policies

23. Physical, verbal, or sexual harassment of others;

Aggression toward Self or Others

24. Inappropriate physical or sexual behavior, including jokes, comments, gestures or unwelcome physical conduct or contact;

Aggression toward Self or Others

25. False statements or false accusations;

Aggression toward Self or Others

26. Hazing or initiations;

Aggression toward Self or Others

27. Participation in a gang, or soliciting or attempting to solicit participation in a gang;

Aggression toward Self or Others

28. Possessing, distributing, using or being under the influence of tobacco products, electronic cigarettes, drugs, alcohol, or controlled substances, including prescription drugs if the student has not been prescribed the drugs or is taking the drugs in excess of the dosage specified by the prescription;

Safety for All

29. Possessing drug paraphernalia;

Safety for All

30. Stealing, lying, cheating, or copying the work of another without authorization (plagiarism);

TeSA Rules & Policies

31. Deliberately, and without School authorization, accessing, damaging, or altering School data and records, including but not limited to confidential records, electronic data, networks or systems;

Responsibility for Learning Tools & Materials

32. Violence of any kind, including dating violence;

Aggression toward Self or Others

33. Fighting;

Aggression toward Self or Others

34. Gambling;

TeSA Rules & Policies

35. Setting or attempting to set a fire;

Safety for All

36. Inappropriate or indecent exposure of body parts;

Safety for All

37. Retaliation of any form against other students or School personnel;

Aggression toward Self or Others

38. Conduct which requires the student’s registration as a sex offender;

Safety for All

39. Possession or distribution of pictures, text messages, electronic messages or other material of a sexual or obscene nature;

Safety for All

40. Endangering the health or safety of others; or

Safety for All

41. Other conduct as identified within this Code.

TeSA Rules & Policies