New policies designed to give school administrators and teachers clear guidelines for dealing with students affected by domestic or dating violence will be considered by the Chicago Board of Education tomorrow.

Among other things, the proposed policy would instruct teachers and administrators to notify students of available counseling and support services when they or their parents or guardians are named in a court protective order.

The policy also contains provisions to enlist teachers in an effort to identify victims and intervene in cases of dating violence.

The new policy, which replaces 9-year-old existing guidelines, was developed in conjunction with the Mayor's Office on Domestic Violence, according to CPS spokesman Michael Vaughn.

Also Wednesday, the board will take up the district improvement plan, required of any school district not meeting progress required by the federal No Child Left Behind Act.

Chicago is not making adequate yearly progress in five areas including black students' reading and math scores, disabled students' reading and math scores and graduation rates.

While test scores are generally on the rise, the 2007 graduation rate of 66 percent was the lowest rate since 2000 and 8 percent below 2005.

The improvement plan, which is to be submitted to the Illinois Board of Education, details school-reform actions such as  $6 million spent on programs designed to boost reading scores.

Wednesday's board meeting is open to the public, and public comment is scheduled to begin at 10:30 a.m.

 
CPS Board of Education meeting

• When: 10:30 a.m. Wednesday
• Where: CPS Central Office, 125 S. Clark.
• Public sign-up: 8-9 a.m.