OCS Discipline Referral Best Practices

Which of the following should be included in a written discipline referral?

• A. The teacher’s personal feelings about the student’s behavior
  

• B. A recommended punishment
  

• C. A factual description of the behavior
  

• D. A comparison to other students’ behavior

Why is it important to avoid including personal opinions in a discipline referral?

• A. They make the referral too long

• B. They may be seen as unprofessional and legally inadmissible

• C. They show emotional investment

• D. They are hard to read

What kind of language should be used in a discipline referral?

• A. Vague and brief

• B. Emotionally expressive

• C. Fact-based and objective

• D. Casual and conversational

4. Should a teacher include the exact words the student used in the referral?

• A. No, paraphrasing is better

• B. Yes, exact quotes are important for accuracy

• C. Only if the words are appropriate

• D. Only if the student is in high school

5. What should be avoided when filling out a discipline referral?

• A. Dates and times

• B. Names of other students

• C. Personal feelings and consequences

• D. Specific behaviors

6. What is true about the number of referrals a teacher writes?

• A. It reflects how strict they are

• B. It’s directly tied to their teaching ability

• C. It doesn’t reflect effectiveness or ineffectiveness

• D. It is used in teacher evaluations

7. Which student name(s) should be included on the referral form?

• A. Only the student the referral is about

• B. All students who witnessed the event

• C. Every student in the classroom

• D. Students who gave statements

8. Why must referrals be carefully written?

• A. They can be shared with substitutes

• B. They may be used in staff meetings

• C. They are legal documents that are sent home to parents and may go to court

• D. They are sent to the principal for grading

What should a teacher do if they are unsure how to complete a referral?

• A. Leave parts blank

• B. Fill it out quickly and submit

• C. Ask a colleague or administrator for guidance

• D. Avoid writing the referral

What is the purpose of a discipline referral

• A. To suggest punishments

• B. To document teacher frustration

• C. To formally record student behavior in a factual way

• D. To prove that a student is a problem