Rochester City School Board Policy Manual
1400-E1
The Matrix intentionally limits the behaviors for which a student can receive a disciplinary exclusion, such as classroom removal, short- or long-term suspension, or expulsion. Students who engage in misconduct that is not included in the Matrix are subject to appropriate disciplinary measures as determined by school administration, consistent with the disciplinary levels for similar behaviors set forth in the matrix.
Pre-kindergarten students cannot be suspended. 2 Any suspensions for primary students (grades K to 3) or for students with disabilities (grades K to 12) should first be discussed with their Chief of Schools.
Classroom Interventions; Student Support Team Interventions Intensive Support Staff; Administrator Interventions and Responses
Level 1
Uncooperative / Noncompliant Behavior
Level 2
Disorderly / Disruptive Behavior
Referral Interventions; Suspension Responses Referral Interventions; Extended Suspension Responses
Level 3
Aggressive or Injurious / Harmful Behavior
Level 4
Seriously Dangerous or Violent Behavior
How to Use the Behaviors and Responses Matrix
In responding to misconduct, school staff should use the matrix below, in conjunction with the table above, as follows:
1. The “Code” column in the “Matrix Table of Contents” refers to the following: a. SSEC: Codes that are required to be reported to the state (see Appendix F, “School Safety and Educational Climate (SSEC) Reporting”, for further guidance and definition). b. NS: District codes that are not required to be reported to the state.
2. School staff should locate the behavior on the Matrix.
3. The boxes crossed out with an “X” in the matrix must not be used under any circumstances.
4. On the first instance of any inappropriate or disruptive behavior, school staff shall utilize one or more guidance interventions, and disciplinary responses, if appropriate, from the lowest level indicated on the Matrix for that behavior (or one or more interventions or disciplinary responses from any lower level). (See table above for interventions and responses.) 5. If the same behavior is persistently repeated during the same school year, school staff may utilize one or more interventions or disciplinary responses from the next higher level on the Matrix for that behavior, or any lower level as long as there is no “X” in the box at the next level. If there is only one level indicated for that offense, then any interventions or disciplinary responses utilized must be from that same level or a lower level. 6. Except in cases of repeated and persistent violations of the same or similar nature, school staff may not utilize interventions and disciplinary responses from those boxes that state “May be used if approved by the Chief of Schools”. In those cases, in which the disciplinary response from the boxes that state, “May be used if approved by the Chief of Schools” are used, restorative practices should still be considered as a component of the response. Staff are encouraged to use guidance interventions
2 Ref: https://www.nyssba.org/news/2025/01/10/on-board-online-january-13-2025/commissoner-pre-k- students-should-not-be-suspended/
June 18, 2026
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