Code of Student Conduct

The School Board of Orange County, Florida (Board) is required to adopt a Code of Student Conduct (Code), pursuant to Policy JIC, titled “Code of Student Conduct,” and Section 1006.07, Florida Statutes.  In addition, Rule 6A-1.0017, Florida Administrative Code, defines several offenses the Board must adopt into the Code.  Orange County Public Schools (OCPS) has developed the Code to help students, parents/guardians, and school personnel understand the guidelines for maintaining a safe and orderly learning environment.  The Code shall be discussed with students, school advisory committees, and parent/teacher associations at the beginning of each school year and quarterly thereafter and for transferring students upon their enrollment.

The Code applies to all OCPS students in Kindergarten through Grade 12, including high school and school-age students attending either a technical center,  a dual-enrollment program or a community school program for high school credit. 

Each OCPS student must adhere to OCPS rules and the Code:

• While on Board property;
• While being transported to or from school at public expense;
• During school-sponsored activities, including, but not limited to distance learning, virtual learning, field trips, athletic functions, and similar activities;
• While using an OCPS device or while on the OCPS network, even if in the community;
• While in the community if the behavior has an impact on OCPS or OCPS students; and
• If appropriate, any other area as permitted by Florida Statutes and/or State Board of Education Rules.

In order to conserve resources, schools will not distribute paper copies of the Code to every student. An electronic copy of the Code can be found online at codeofconduct.ocps.net, on the OCPS app, or on OCPS school-issued devices. If you require a paper copy of the Code, please notify your OCPS school.

Federal and state statutes and Board Policies are referenced throughout this handbook.  It is important to note that the statutes and Board Policies referenced herein are subject to amendment throughout the school year, which may affect specific sections of this handbook.  Should a section be impacted by an amendment during the current school year, the Code will be updated to reflect the amendment as adopted by statute or Board Policy.  A redline version of the amendment and footnote with a detailed explanation of the update will be accessible online at https://codeofconduct.ocps.net.

In Loco Parentis

State and federal law recognizes that teachers and school administrators have a need to stand in place of parents/guardians over children entrusted to them at school. This is a legal concept called in loco parentis. While this authority is not equal to a parent’s/guardian’s authority over a child, it does permit school personnel to exercise a degree of supervision and control over students while students are on Board property, school transportation, or attending a school activity.  Section 1003.31(1), Florida Statutes, also recognizes that students are under the control and direction of the principal or teacher in charge of the school. This authorizes school personnel to search without a warrant based on reasonable suspicion and are not held to the higher standard of “probable cause” by which law enforcement is bound. This concept authorizes school personnel to question a student without providing the student with Miranda warnings or allowing the student to call a parent/guardian or attorney.

Notice of Limited Responsibility for Supervising Students

OCPS employees are not responsible for supervising students who arrive on school grounds more than 30 minutes before school and/or 30 minutes before a school-sponsored activity is scheduled to begin or students remaining on school grounds more than 30 minutes after school and/or 30 minutes after the school-sponsored activity ends. OCPS is not responsible for supervising students not in attendance at school, or students not authorized to participate in school-sponsored activities.  Casual or incidental contact between OCPS personnel and students on school grounds shall not result in a duty to supervise students. Parents/guardians should not rely on OCPS employees to provide supervision for their child outside of the aforementioned time period.

Nothing in this section precludes OCPS from administering discipline for acts or behavior that occur on OCPS property.