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PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Philadelphia School Reform Commission says it's banning most suspensions for kindergartners and ending suspensions for students who violate the dress code.
The student code of conduct was amended Thursday to say kindergartners won't be suspended unless their actions result in serious bodily injury.
Superintendent William Hite Jr. tells Philly.com (http://bit.ly/2bG0IRq ) officials needed to address the fact that kindergarteners were being suspended for things that weren't considered violent behavior.
Officials say dress code violations from students not wearing uniforms are often the result of poverty-related factors and educators are being trained to work with students on addressing those issues.
The new policy goes into effect this school year and replaces suspensions with interventions.
An attorney for the nonprofit Education Law Center says 448 kindergarteners were suspended last year in Philadelphia.
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Information from: Philly.com, http://www.philly.com/
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