Denver Public Schools releases updated student discipline policy guide

DENVER – Since 2023, criticism has been growing of Denver Public Schools' child protection measures, particularly after the gunshot death of East High School student Luis Garcia and another shooting two months later that injured two East High deans.

That prompted DPS officials to release a new long-term safety plan that would include an update to the district's discipline matrix – a quick guide for schools on how to implement discipline for students across the district – which was released to families Thursday.

“The discipline matrix is ​​intended to provide consistent policies across schools so that a student at one school in the district receives the same consequences or support measures as another student,” said Ike Ogbuike, a program manager for the district's discipline team.

The offenses are divided into seven levels. The lowest level is for minor offenses, such as disrupting class. The higher the level, the more serious the offenses become.

For example, at Level 5, it is optional for a student to be reviewed for exclusion, at Level 6, an exclusion review is mandatory, and at Level 7, an exclusion request is mandatory.

The DPS Disciplinary Matrix for students in grades 4 to 12 takes into account the following behaviors and consequences:

Level 1: No suspension or expulsion

• Disturbance
• Minor damage or damage to school property
• Minor violation of authority/disobedience
• Minor physical aggression towards another student (not of a sexual nature)
• Possession of fireworks or lighters
• Unauthorized use of school equipment

Level 2: Expulsion from school possible

• Severe disregard for authority/disobedience
• Temporary threat (heat of the moment)
• Nicotine offenses (including vaping)
• Destruction or theft of a person’s property (under $499)
• Destruction or theft of school property (under $499)
• False activation of a fire alarm

Level 3: Can lead to expulsion from school for up to 1 day

• Recurring behaviors of levels 1 and 2
• School misconduct that significantly disrupts the school environment
• Substantial threat (imaginable)
• Aiding and abetting (staging or inciting fights)
• Being under the influence
• Possession of alcohol or marijuana
• Destruction or theft of a person’s property ($500-$1,999)
• Destruction or theft of school property ($500-$1,999)
• Bullying, verbal/gestural
• Bias-based harassment (non-physical)

Level 4: Can lead to a 2-day suspension from school

• Possession of contraband
• Inappropriate behavior (mutual fighting)
• Substantial threat (realistic/plausible)
• Indecent exposure
• Intimidation or retaliation against witnesses
• Robbery
• Destruction or theft of a person's property valued at more than $2,000
• Destruction or theft of school property over $2,000
• Bullying, physical or repeated
• Bias-based harassment (physical)

Level 5: May result in a 3-day suspension with an optional review of the exclusion

• Possession of a dangerous weapon
• Harmful behavior
• Terrorist threat
• Unauthorized sexual conduct or contact
• Possession with intent to sell or distribute unlicensed drugs or controlled substances
• Possession of a Schedule IV controlled substance
• Motor vehicle theft
• Blackmail/Sextortion
• Arson
• Unethical use of technology
• Violations against district employees
• Recurrent disturbances (behavioral levels 4-6)

Level 6: Resulting in a 3-5 day suspension from school or a mandatory review of expulsion

• Possession of a dangerous weapon with threat of such
• First degree assault
• Second degree assault
• Sexual harassment

Level 7: Resulting in a 5-day suspension from school or a mandatory expulsion request

• Weapon ownership
• killing
• Attempted murder

Consequences for ECE 3rd grade students are different. District officials said they follow state law regarding the length of suspension, which is a maximum of one year.
When asked whether public criticism of DPS security was the reason for the recent changes to the disciplinary matrix, officials were hesitant to respond.

“There was communication with the community through the Disciplinary Matrix Committee,” said Terri Talavera of the Disciplinary Team.

View the updated Student Guide Here or in the document below.