Student Behavior Categories

Behavior Category Behavior Description Possible Administrative Response
(Administrative responses may vary by developmental level)
MTSS Response

Category A

Behaviors that impede academic progress (BAP)

These behaviors impede the academic progress of students and can include but are not limited to the following:

Elementary schools:

  • Talking and excessive noise in the classroom
  • Off-task; out of seat
  • Possessing items that distract learning in the classroom
  • Excessive noise in the hallway
  • Interrupting other classes
  • Cheating
  • Unexcused tardiness to class or to school

Middle and high schools:

  • Interfering with learning in the classroom
  • Interfering with learning outside the classroom
  • Academic dishonesty
  • Chronic failure to be prepared for class
  • Unexcused tardiness to class or to school
Level 1:
  • Classroom supports and interventions that promote positive behavior change
Level 2:
  • Corrective interventions aimed at positive behavior changes supported by the SST.
Level 3:
  • Alternatives to suspension and in-school suspension
  • Suspension between one and three days
  • Suspension between four and five days

Tier I

Tier II

Tier III

Category B

Behaviors related to school operations (BSO)

These behaviors interfere with the daily operations of the schools and can include, but are not limited to the following:

Elementary, middle, and high schools:

  • Altering an official document
  • Bringing/allowing unauthorized persons on to school grounds
  • Dishonesty/giving false information to staff
  • Failure to report to assigned classes or disciplinary setting while on school grounds
  • Gambling
  • Horseplay
  • Inappropriate student dress
  • Misuse of communication devices
  • Unauthorized use of school electronic equipment
  • Inappropriate use of technology/internet policy
  • Vandalism, graffiti, or damage to school or personal property
Level 1:
  • Classroom supports and interventions that promote positive behavior changes
Level 2:
  • Corrective interventions aimed at positive behavior changes supported by the SST
Level 3:
  • Alternatives to suspension and in-school suspension
  • Suspension between four and five days
  • Suspension between six and 10 days

Tier I

Tier II

Tier III

Category C

Relationship Behaviors (RB)

These behaviors create a negative relationship between two or more people that does not result in physical harm and include, but are not limited to, the following:

Elementary, middle and high schools:

  • Bullying/cyberbullying
  • Failure to respond to requests by staff
  • Inappropriate physical contact that is sexual in nature
  • Posting, distributing, displaying, or sharing material or literature, including electronically
  • Saying or writing either directly or electronically sexually suggestive comments, propositions, or other remarks
  • Sexual misconduct (other than Title IX Sexual Harassment)
  • Speaking to another in an uncivil, discourteous manner
  • Teasing, taunting, engaging in a verbal confrontation, verbally inciting a fight
  • Using profane or vulgar language or gestures (swearing, cursing, hate speech, gang signs, or gestures)
  • Using slurs based upon the actual or perceived race, ethnicity, color, national origin, citizenship/immigration status, weight, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, disability, or any other basis prohibited by law.
Level 1:
  • Classroom supports and interventions that promote positive behavior change
Level 2:
  • Corrective interventions aimed at positive behavior changes supported by the SST
Level 3:
  • Alternatives to suspension and in-school suspension
  • Suspension between four and five days
  • Suspension between six and 10 days
  • Suspension for more than 10 consecutive days, but less than 365 consecutive days (hearing required
  • Recommendation for expulsion with hearing required

Tier II

Tier III