FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
?
STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
JOHN L. WINN
Commissioner of Education
F. PHILIP HANDY,
Chairman
T. WILLARD FAIR,
Vice Chairman
Members
DONNA G. CALLAWAY
JULIA L. JOHNSON
ROBERTO MARTÍNEZ
PHOEBE RAULERSON
LINDA K. TAYLOR
CONTACT
PERSON
NAME:
Louise Rill/Lorraine H. Allen
PHONE:
(850) 245-0416
SUNCOM:
210-0416
E-MAIL:
Louise.Rill@fldoe.org
Lorraine.Allen@fldoe.org
K12: 2005-29
M E M O R A N D U M
TO:
District School Superintendents
FROM:
Jim Warford
DATE:
March 15, 2005
SUBJECT
:
2003-2004 Statewide Report on School Safety and Discipline Data
The Florida Department of Education’s goal of
Highest Student Achievement
is one of the top
priorities for K-12 schools. In order to reach this goal, the Department recognizes that students
learn best in a school environment that is safe, healthy, and drug free. In order to support this
goal, the Office of Safe and Healthy Schools is pleased to provide you with the electronic copy
of the 2003-2004 Statewide Report on School Safety and Discipline Data. The Florida
Department of Education (DOE) collects data on 21 incidents of crime, violence, and disruptive
behaviors through the
School Environmental Safety Incident Report (SESIR)
system.
SESIR
collects incident data that occur on school grounds, on school-sponsored transportation, and at
off-campus, school-sponsored events during any 24-hour period, 365 days per year.
JIM WARFORD
K -12 Chancellor
325 W. GAINES STREET • SUITE 514 • TALLAHASSEE, FL 32399-0400 • (850) 245-0509• www.fldoe.org
District School Superintendents
March 15, 2005
Page Two
This report contains tables and figures that summarize the
SESIR
and discipline data that
were reported to DOE by the 67 Florida school districts for 2001-2002, 2002-2003, and
2003-2004. This report provides statewide totals, including a trend of the
SESIR
data and
discipline data including actions of in-school suspensions, out-of-school suspensions, and
expulsions disaggregated by school grade level, gender, and race for three years, 2001 to
2004. It also contains a comprehensive district data profile of the
SESIR
and discipline data
for each of the 67 school districts in Florida over the past three years.
The latest report may be viewed at the following website:
http://www.firn.edu/doe/besss/discipline.htm
Please note that pursuant to Section 1006.09(6), Florida Statutes, the principal is responsible
for ensuring the accuracy of the SESIR and discipline data for the school. A process should
be in place for verifying the accuracy and making corrections to the data on an ongoing basis.
The DOE will assist districts with a system review of their SESIR and discipline reporting as
well as provide customized training for school leaders to help meet the specific needs of the
district with their collection and reporting accuracy. To schedule this review/training, please
contact Louise Rill, Program Specialist, Office of Safe and Healthy Schools.
We thank you for your continued support in creating and maintaining safe learning
environments for your students and staff.
JW/lr