Section 12.16. Definitions

The following words and terms, when used in this chapter, have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

Corporal punishment—A form of physical discipline that is intended to cause pain and fear and in which a student is spanked, paddled or hit on any part of the body with a hand or instrument.

Governing board—The board of school directors of a school district, joint school committee of a joint school or joint vocational school, intermediate unit board of directors, or the board of trustees of a charter school or cyber-charter school.

Prekindergarten—A program operated by a school district or by a community agency under contract from a school district that is open to children who are at least 3 years of age and completed prior to the school district’s entry age for kindergarten, unless individual exceptions to the age requirements are made by the school district.

School entity—A local public education provider (for example—public school, charter school, cyber-charter school, area vocational-technical school or intermediate unit).

Student assistance program—A systematic process designed to assist school personnel to identify issues, including alcohol, drugs and others, which pose a barrier to a student’s learning and school success. Student assistance is a systematic process using effective and accountable professional techniques to mobilize school resources to remove the barriers to learning, and, when the problem is beyond the scope of the school, to assist the parent and the student with information so they may access services within the community.

Student services—Services designed by a school entity to support the instructional program and to help students attain their educational and career goals.

(i) Services may include school guidance counseling, health services (under Article XIV of the Public School Code of 1949 (24 P. S. § § 14-1401—14-1423) and 28 Pa. Code Chapter 23 (relating to school health)), psychological services, social work and home and school visitor services.

(ii) School entities may supplement, but may not supplant, these services through school-based, school-linked, or coordinated services provided by locally available social and human services agencies.

The provisions of this § 12.16 adopted December 2, 2005, effective December 3, 2005, 35 Pa.B. 6510, 6658; amended December 15, 2006, effective December 16, 2006, 36 Pa.B. 7542. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (315963) to (315964).

Notation

Authority

The provisions of this § 12.16 issued under section 2603-B of The Public School Code of 1949 (24 P. S. § 26-2603-B).