Final answer:
The first step a school should take when considering alternative placement for a student is to develop a placement review committee. This committee, which includes educational professionals, works to ensure that any placement decision is in the student's best interest and takes into account all relevant factors.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a student's behavior warrants alternative placement, the first thing that a school should do is to establish a placement review committee. This committee is typically composed of educational professionals, including administrators, teachers, and often a school psychologist or counselor. It evaluates the student's needs, educational history, behavior, and any contributing factors. The goal of such a committee is to ensure that any decision made about the student's placement is comprehensive, inclusive of multiple perspectives, and in the best interest of the student. The development of a placement review committee not only helps to determine a suitable environment that addresses the student's unique academic and behavioral needs but also takes into consideration the safety and well-being of the student and others.
Conversations with parents and the student are typically part of this process, as it is crucial to involve stakeholders in the decision-making process. However, immediately suspending the student during an investigation may not always be necessary or constructive unless the behavior poses an immediate risk to the safety of the student or others. Reflecting on how different custody arrangements, personal experiences, and school policies can affect placements helps to understand the complexities and variations of each case.