CODE OF CONDUCT & ACCOUNTABILITY CONTRACT

Purpose

The purpose of this contract is to establish clear expectations for classroom behavior, professionalism, participation, and accountability.

This class is designed to prepare students for college, careers, and the workplace. Students are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that demonstrates responsibility, respect, maturity, and professionalism.

The demerit system is designed to provide students with a consistent and transparent system of accountability. Demerits are not intended to "punish" students; they are used to document behaviors that interfere with the learning environment or prevent students from meeting classroom expectations. Demerits will be recorded in Infinite Campus along with a description on the infraction. They are classified as MINOR or MAJOR. All MAJOR incidents involve administration action (ISS, OSS, etc..). Continuous MINOR behaviors will result in a MAJOR referral to administration. 

CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS

Students are expected to:

1. Be Respectful

   • Treat the teacher, classmates, visitors, and school property with respect.

   • Use appropriate language and behavior.

   • Follow reasonable directions the first time they are given.

2. Be Prepared

   • Arrive on time.

   • Bring required materials and devices.

   • Be ready to begin work when class starts.

3. Be Productive

   • Remain on task.

   • Complete assignments and projects by established deadlines.

   • Use class time appropriately.

4. Be Responsible

   • Take responsibility for your choices and actions.

   • Meet deadlines.

   • Communicate appropriately when problems arise.

   • Follow school, classroom, and technology policies.

5. Be Professional

   • Demonstrate workplace-appropriate behavior.

   • Work cooperatively with others.

   • Maintain a positive and productive classroom environment.

DEMERIT SYSTEM

Demerits may be assigned when a student chooses behavior that violates classroom expectations.

The teacher may assign demerits based on the severity, frequency, and circumstances of the behavior.

Examples of Demerit-Worthy Behaviors

Behavior

Suggested Demerits

Unprepared for class 

1-2

Excessive talking/off-task behavior

1-2

Failure to follow a reasonable direction

1–2

Disrupting instruction

1–2

Unauthorized phone/device use

2-3

Leaving assigned area without permission

1-2

Failure to complete assigned classroom responsibility

1-2

Repeatedly wasting class time/Bathroom

1–2

Disrespectful language/behavior

2–3

Inappropriate use of technology

2–3

Academic dishonesty/cheating

3–5

Refusal to follow teacher direction

3–5

Severe disruption

3–5

Inappropriate or threatening behavior

5+ / Administrative Referral

Fighting, harassment, or other serious misconduct

Administrative Referral

Note: Demerits may be adjusted based on the circumstances. Serious behaviors may be referred directly to administration and do not require the student to accumulate demerits first.

DEMERIT LEVELS & CONSEQUENCES

0–2 Demerits: WARNING / RESET

The student receives a verbal or documented warning and is expected to correct the behavior.

Goal: Correct the behavior before it becomes a pattern.

3–4 Demerits: TEACHER CONSEQUENCE

The student may receive one or more of the following:

• Teacher conference

• Parent/guardian contact

• Assigned reflection

• Loss of classroom privilege

• Assigned seating

• Other reasonable classroom consequence

5–6 Demerits: PARENT/GUARDIAN CONTACT

The teacher will contact the parent/guardian.

The student will be required to complete a Behavior Improvement Plan identifying:

• The behavior that caused the problem

• Why the behavior was inappropriate

• How the student will correct it

• What the student will do differently moving forward

7–9 Demerits: ADMINISTRATIVE INTERVENTION (MAJOR)

The teacher may refer the student to an administrator or request administrative support.

Additional consequences may include:

• Parent/guardian conference

• Administrative referral 

• Loss of classroom privileges

• Other consequences consistent with school policy

10+ DEMERITS: FORMAL BEHAVIOR REVIEW (MAJOR)

At 10 or more demerits, the student will be considered to have demonstrated a pattern of behavior requiring additional intervention.

The teacher may request a conference involving the student, parent/guardian, counselor, administrator, and/or other appropriate school personnel.

POSITIVE BEHAVIOR & DEMERIT REDUCTION

The purpose of this system is to correct behavior, not simply accumulate punishments.

Students may have the opportunity to reduce their demerit total through demonstrated improvement.

Possible methods include:

• Consistent positive behavior

• Completion of assigned corrective action

• Behavior reflection

• Demonstrating improvement over a specified period

• Participation in classroom responsibilities

• Other teacher-approved methods

The teacher determines whether a demerit can be removed based on the student's demonstrated improvement and circumstances.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Demerits are cumulative.

Demerits may remain active for the grading period, semester, or school year as determined by the teacher.

Demerits are separate from grades.

A student will not receive a lower academic grade simply because they have accumulated demerits unless the behavior directly affects an assignment, participation requirement, or other legitimate grading criteria.

Serious behavior is different.

Certain behaviors are serious enough to require immediate administrative involvement. These behaviors do not require a student to reach a specific number of demerits.

Examples include:

• Fighting

• Threats

• Bullying/harassment

• Intimidation

• Weapons

• Serious disrespect

• Theft

• Destruction of property

• Academic dishonesty when required to be reported

• Other violations of school policy

School policies and administrative procedures supersede this classroom contract.

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITY

I understand that I am responsible for my choices and behavior.

I understand that:

• I am expected to follow classroom expectations.

• I am responsible for knowing how the demerit system works.

• I may receive a demerit when my behavior does not meet expectations.

• Continued behavior problems may result in additional consequences.

• Serious misconduct may be referred directly to administration.

• I have the ability to improve my behavior and avoid additional demerits.

I understand that "I didn't know" is not an excuse once these expectations have been explained to me.