FACT: Teachers are still allowed to refer students.
Teachers maintain high expectations for student behavior and conduct in the classroom. There are times when interventions and positive reinforcement can help change negative student behavior. Other times, disciplinary measures – including referrals and suspensions – are appropriate. Teachers have always had and still have the authority to refer children. Although the number of referrals has dipped slightly in recent years, the decrease has not been significant. The goal through this work is to reduce negative behaviors, which should, in turn, reduce the need to refer or suspend students over time.