May 20th, 2025 | Alex Harris | Seaside FM News
As reports of violence in schools have been rising, the Department of Education released a new Code of Conduct for schools in the province that will come into effect in the fall.
The code added inappropriate language, interruption of the learning environment, physical aggression, unapproved use of mobile devices and threatening behaviour to the list of unacceptable behaviours in schools.
Autism Nova Scotia released an open letter to the Department of Education saying that there was not enough consultation with students with complex learning needs and their parents.
The letter says that “safety and inclusion are not competing goals” and that the new code has an “over reliance on punitive approaches” to student behaviour.
Inclusion Nova Scotia released a statement earlier this month on the new code with a similar sentiment.
They say that families of students with learning disabilities report a lack of “consistent and effective support” in Nova Scotia’s schools.
“Behaviour doesn’t happen in a vacuum.” the statement says.
Inclusion NS wants to see proactive action to prevent unwanted behaviours.
“Challenging behaviours often reflect unmet needs” for students with disabilities.
The new Code of Conduct does address students with complex needs.
In the code it states that “When responding to unacceptable behaviour staff will consider the student’s developmental capacity” and “the intent of the unacceptable behaviour.
The Code says that a plan will be created for students who require intensive behavioural support with school staff, the student’s family, and community partners. The plan will be individualized and flexible and a safe school environment will always be considered.
Advocates say this isn’t enough.
Autism Nova Scotia says that the current version of the Code of Conduct lacks “sufficient emphasis” on a trauma informed, restorative, and student centered approach to unwanted behaviour.
In the letter, they say that in students with disabilities, unacceptable behaviour is often an attempt to communicate.
Inclusion Nova Scotia calls for the government to train staff on trauma-informed, culturally supportive, disability-inclusive approaches to unacceptable behaviour. They also want safeguards to discriminatory application of the code and for the government to engage with students, families, and advocacy organisations to ensure the code is working for all students going forward.
Both advocacy organisations say they are willing to work with the Department of Education to ensure the school Code of Conduct is fair for all students.
