(1) Reengagement meeting. When a school district administers a long-term suspension or expulsion, the district must convene a reengagement meeting with the student and parents to discuss a plan to reengage the student. Before convening a reengagement meeting, a school district must communicate with the student and parents to schedule the meeting time and location. The reengagement meeting must occur:
- (a) Within twenty calendar days of the start of the student's long-term suspension or expulsion, but no later than five calendar days before the student returns to school; or
- (b) As soon as reasonably possible, if the student or parents request a prompt reengagement meeting.
(2) Reengagement plan. The school district must collaborate with the student and parents to develop a culturally sensitive and culturally responsive reengagement plan tailored to the student's individual circumstances to support the student in successfully returning to school. In developing a reengagement plan, the school district must consider:
- (a) The nature and circumstances of the incident that led to the student's suspension or expulsion;
- (b) As appropriate, students' cultural histories and contexts, family cultural norms and values, community resources, and community and parent outreach;
- (c) Shortening the length of time that the student is suspended or expelled;
- (d) Providing academic and nonacademic supports that aid in the student's academic success and keep the student engaged and on track to graduate; and
- (e) Supporting the student, parents, or school personnel in taking action to remedy the circumstances that resulted in the suspension or expulsion and preventing similar circumstances from recurring.
- (3) Documentation. The school district must document the reengagement plan and provide a copy of the plan to the student and parents.
- (4) Language assistance. The school district must ensure that the reengagement meeting and plan are in a language the student and parents understand, which may require language assistance for students and parents with limited-English proficiency under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
- (5) Student and parent rights. Reengagement meetings do not replace an appeal hearing under WAC 392-400-465 or a petition for readmission.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 28A.600.015, 28A.600.020 and 28A.600.010 through 28A.600.022, 28A.320.211. WSR 18-16-081, § 392-400-710, filed 7/30/18, effective 8/31/18.]