1.

Do not create a new report for each offender/victim involved in an incident. Data for all offenders and victims associated with a single incident are collected in a single report, as you will see.

2.

Gather complete information ahead of time.

It is advisable to report an incident on the EVVRS as soon as possible after an incident occurs. However, it is also important to wait until all information on the incident is collected before entering data into the EVVRS. When an incident occurs and is first recorded, you may not yet know whether a juvenile delinquency complaint was filed, the cost to the district of an incident of vandalism, or whether a victim is a student with disability. Wait to enter data until all information is complete, but as soon as possible after the incident occurs.

3.

Maintain a paper record of the incident.

Always keep a paper record of each incident you report. Use the Violence, Vandalism, and Substance Abuse Incident Report Form for incidents of violence, vandalism, weapons, or substance abuse involving any student, and the Report of Suspensions/Removals of Students With Disabilities for Reasons Other Than Violence, Vandalism, and Substance Abuse for suspensions of students with disabilities for other reasons. (See System Documents in Chapter 1 of this Manual.) If you use a locally designed form, it must contain all information collected by the EVVRS Incident Report Form.

4.

At the end of the year, you will be asked to verify the accuracy of the data your district has entered into the EVVRS. Your paper record will aid you in this task. To make the verification process easier, file these paper forms by school, then by incident number, as this is the way the electronic reports are organized. In accordance with N.J.S.A. 18A:17-46, verification of the annual report on violence and vandalism is to be part of the State's monitoring of the school district. Paper records are a district’s documentation that the incidents were reported accurately. The State Board of Education has adopted regulations that impose a penalty on a school employee who knowingly falsifies the report.

5.

Be sure all information is accurate before reporting it into the EVVRS. Correcting errors or filling in missing information at a later date can be burdensome.

6.

An incident number is assigned by the EVVRS every time a new incident is reported. It appears on screen when you reach the People Involved in Incident Page. Record this number on the paper record of the incident right away. The incident number is used to access reports in the NJDOE EVVRS database.

7.

The reporting year for the EVVRS is July 1 through June 30. The closing date for the system (after which you can no longer access data) normally falls in the third week of July. After the EVVRS closes, reports for that year are no longer available. E-mail us at EVVRS@doe.state.nj.us if you have questions about data for a prior year.

8.

For reporting purposes, the school year extends from July 1 through June 30. As the EVVRS remains open in July and August for modification and verification of data entered the prior reporting year, no incidents for the summer months should be entered until the EVVRS re-opens in September.

9.

Because the database is kept on an annual basis only, you do not need to use the same numbers to identify students from year to year. However, you must use the same number to identify a student each time that student is involved in an incident within a school year.

10.

To remove a user from a district or school account or to change the type of account, e-mail us at: EVVRS@doe.state.nj.us. To make other changes — such as a change in an e-mail address — see User Maintenance later in the EVVRS User Manual.

1.

Never double-click buttons on EVVRS pages. If you do, you may double-enter data. Correcting such errors at a later date can be burdensome.

2.

If you go back a page using the right mouse-button, you will inadvertently create duplicate records for your district in the database. Always use the navigational buttons at the bottom of each EVVRS page.

3.

If you stay on one EVVRS page for longer than 30 minutes, the system will automatically sign you off, and you will have to exit and login again.

4.

When choosing text from a dropdown menu, an initial keystroke can speed your selection. Begin typing the word you want to select from the list and it automatically displays in the box.

5.

On two EVVRS pages — the Welcome Page and the Search Result Page — you will see underscored words — or hyperlinks, which automatically open other screen pages or related documents. Welcome Page hyperlinks open documents such as the EVVRS User Manual and reporting forms. Search Result Page hyperlinks open EVVRS data modification pages.

6.

On your first visit to the EVVRS, download and print the Microsoft Word version of the EVVRS User Manual from the Welcome Page. Use it to familiarize yourself with the features of the EVVRS before reporting your first incident. You may also wish to use it as a guide to district-wide training in using the EVVRS.

7.

This symbol appears in the upper right-hand corner of every EVVRS page. Click on it to display an on-screen Help page that provides instructions related to that EVVRS page.

8.

After using the the EVVRS User Manual to learn how to use the EVVRS, use it as a reference tool. Because it is a Microsoft Word document, you can use Word's search feature (click Edit, then click Find) to quickly locate keywords related to your question.

9.

Access the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) document from the EVVRS Welcome Page when you have a question about — or are having trouble — using the EVVRS. This list of questions and answers is updated quarterly and is based on queries from users like you.

10.

If you cannot find the answer to your question about the EVVRS in the FAQs or in the EVVRS User Manual, you can e-mail EVVRS. Use this hyperlink, or the one at the bottom of the Login and Main Menu pages, or address your correspondence to: EVVRS@doe.state.nj.us.

"Hot" Table of Contents

Use the Table of Contents to move quickly to the information you need: Locate the topic in which you are interested, then click on the page number to move directly there.

Bookmarks

Throughout the text, you will see words — for example, Getting Started — that appear in a bright color — usually blue. These are Bookmarks; they operate much like the hyperlinks you encounter on the Internet. They provide easy on-screen jumps through the EVVRS User Manual so that you can avoid scrolling.

Note: Bookmarks change color after the first time they are used.

Instant E-Mail

This hyperlink — EVVRS@doe.state.nj.us — found throughout the EVVRS User Manual, opens a preaddressed blank e-mail in Microsoft Outlook^®. You must be signed on to the Internet to send it.

F

This symbol points to a tip that can help you navigate, or make the best use of, the EVVRS.

!

This symbol points to important information that can help you prevent an error.

F

!

You will need version 5.0 or higher of Internet Explorer (Macintosh users: Do not use versions 4.01 or 4.5) OR version 4.7 or higher of Netscape. You can download either one of these browsers from the Internet by clicking on the Download Current Browser hyperlink on the Welcome Page. Allow at least an hour to download either of these browsers onto your computer. Other browsers with equivalent versions will work with the EVVRS.

!

• Microsoft Word — to download and print support documents — the EVVRS User Manual, FAQs, and Notices — and the Suspensions Form, "Report of Suspensions/Removals of Students With Disabilities for Reasons Other Than Violence, Vandalism, and Substance Abuse"
• Microsoft PowerPoint^® — to download & view a slide overview of the most recent EVVRS training presentation
• Adobe Acrobat^™ Reader — to print the "Violence, Vandalism, and Substance Abuse Incident Report Form"

F

After you click on the Enter EVVRS Project button, a message may indicate that the Server may be busy. If the message displays, click on the Close button to display the Welcome Page. Try to click on the Enter EVVRS Project button again. If the same message displays, try again later.

F

After you click on the Enter EVVRS Project button, you may receive a prompt warning that you are about to view pages over a secure connection. Click OK to continue.

System Documents

Hyperlink

Format

File Description

Frequently Asked Questions

.HTML

Click to display questions about the EVVRS asked by users and answered by DOE technical support.

Frequently Asked Questions

.DOC

Click to download questions about the EVVRS asked by users and answered by DOE technical support.

Unsafe School Choice Option Q and A

Click to link to and view the document.

System Requirements — READ ME FIRST

.HTML

Click to display EVVRS requirements of your computer and browser.

System Requirements — READ ME FIRST

.DOC

Click to download EVVRS requirements of your computer and browser.

Notices to EVVRS Users

.HTML

Click to display notices e-mailed to all account users during the current school year.

Notices to EVVRS Users

.DOC

Click to download notices e-mailed to all account users during the current school year.

Public School Safety Law

.HTML

Click to display the text of the law, originally passed in 1978 and amended in 1982, that requires districts to report incidents of violence and vandalism.

User Manual

HTML

Click to display the EVVRS User Manual.

User Manual

.DOC

Click to download the EVVRS User Manual.

EVVRS Training Presentation

.PPT

Click to download a slide overview of the most recent EVVRS training presentation.

Violence, Vandalism and Substance Abuse Incident Report Form

.PDF

Click to download, then open and print, a paper copy of the "Violence, Vandalism, and Substance Abuse Incident Report Form."

Suspensions Form

.HTML

Click to display and print a paper copy of the "Report of Suspensions/Removals of Students With Disabilities for Reasons Other Than Violence, Vandalism, and Substance Abuse" online.

Suspensions Form

.DOC

Click to download, then open and print, the " Report of Suspensions/Removals of Students With Disabilities for Reasons Other Than Violence, Vandalism, and Substance Abuse" offline.

EVVRS Incident Definitions

.HTML

Click to display and print a paper copy of the EVVRS Incident Definitions (revised November 2003). May also be found in Chapter 2 of the EVVRS User Manual.

EVVRS Incident Definitions

.DOC

EVVRS Scenarios

.HTML

Click to display and print a paper copy of the EVVRS Scenarios (released November 2003. May also be found in Appendix C of the EVVRS User Manual.

EVVRS Scenarios

.DOC

Click to download, then open and print a paper copy of the EVVRS Scenarios (released November 2003. May also be found in Appendix C of the EVVRS User Manual.

November 3, 2003 Memo to Chief School Administrators

.HTML

Click to display and print a paper copy of the Memo, "Updates to the Violence, Vandalism, and Substance Abuse Reporting Form, 2003-2004."

November 3, 2003 Memo to Chief School Administrators

.DOC

Click to download, then open and print a paper copy of the Memo, "Updates to the Violence, Vandalism, and Substance Abuse Reporting Form, 2003-2004."

Download Current Browsers

Click to download and install a current version of either Microsoft Internet Explorer or Netscape.

Download Current Acrobat Reader

Click to download Adobe Acrobat Reader, which will allow you to download, then open and print, the "Violence, Vandalism and Substance Abuse Incident Report Form" (see above).

Page Flow Chart of EVVRS

.BMP

Click to display an image file that maps the flow from one EVVRS page to another for the entire system. The chart is included here as a visual aid to understanding the EVVRS.

F

If you cannot login successfully, ask your district Web User Administrator to check your user ID and password and the status of your EVVRS user account. Also, inform the Web User Administrator if you need your account (or another’s) deleted from the system.

Menu Button

Description

VV-SA

Click to report incidents of violence, vandalism, weapons, or substance abuse involving any student, nonstudent, or unknown offender.

Other–Spec. Ed.

Click to report the suspension or removal of a student with disabilities for an offense other than violence, vandalism, weapons, or substance abuse.

Data Modification

Click if you wish to view, add, delete, or change information — including offender and victim information — about an incident already entered in the system. Note: You cannot delete an incident. You must e-mail EVVRS to delete an incident.

Reports

Click to order reports that summarize data entered in the system by your school or district. The report will be e-mailed to you.

User Maintenance

Click to update the first and/or last name, password, phone number, or e-mail address of the account user. You cannot change the user ID through User Maintenance.

Close Window

Click to return to the Welcome page. Login again to use the system.

Category

Description

VV-SA

Use the VV-SA button to report an incident of violence, vandalism, weapons, or substance abuse involving any student.

Other–Spec. Ed.

Use the Other–Spec. Ed. button to report the suspension or removal of a student with disabilities for a reason other than violence, vandalism, weapons, or substance abuse.

VV-SA

Other–Spec. Ed.

Number of Times Completed

1.

Incident Information Page

Other Incident–Students with Disabilities Page

Once per incident

2.

Offender Information Page

Offender Information Page

Once per offender

3.

Victim Information Page

Victim Information Page

Once per victim

4.

Student Information Page

Student Information Page

Once per in-district offender or victim

F

Some navigational reminders:
To move from one field to the next, use your mouse or the Tab key.
To go back a field, use your mouse or hold the Shift key down while hitting the Tab key.

!

Do not use the right mouse button to select Back to return to a previous page: Duplicate records will result.
Do not double-click on the buttons at the bottom of the page to activate them: Duplicate records will result.
Do not hit Enter to move the cursor to the next field; hitting Enter will move you to the next EVVRS page.

!

When you click Continue, the data you entered are officially entered into the system. Do not use the right mouse button to go back to modify data! Duplicate data will result. To modify data, you must use the EVVRS Data Modification function.

!

If you click Continue, but the system returns you to the Incident Information Page, check the top of the page for a message in red: You may have skipped a field that must be selected, or selected too many choices. Correct the data indicated and click Continue again.

F

Note for Netscape users:
When you click the Reload Previous Page button, a mostly blank screen with the words, Data Missing, at the top will display. Right-mouse click anywhere on the page, and select Reload from the dropdown list to return to the Main Menu Page.

Incident Header

District Name

The District Name is carried over by the EVVRS from your login information.

School Name

Click on the name of the school at which the incident occurred. If the incident occurred on a bus or at a school-sponsored event, indicate the school associated with or responsible for the location. You may select only the school(s) for which you are authorized to enter and modify data. Be sure the school name is correct, as it becomes part of the number used to identify a student.

Location

Click the dropdown menu to select the location where the incident occurred. For example, a broken exterior window should be reported in the Building Exterior category. Select Receiving School if the incident was reported to you by a private school for the disabled.

Date and time

Click the dropdown menus to select the date and time when the incident occurred. If you are uncertain as to the date an incident occurred (a possibility when a vandalism incident occurs over a vacation period), enter your best guess.

Bias incident

• Admission by perpetrator of bias motivation
• Obvious signs of bias — such as utterance of racial epithets or hate graffiti
• The victim expressing that bias motives were involved
• A history of bias incidents between students from the groups involved

Police notification

Click the dropdown triangle to indicate whether police were notified and whether a complaint was filed.

Contact Name

Enter the name of the person reporting the incident, so that he/she may be contacted by the account user if there are any questions about the incident.

Contact Phone #

Enter the phone number of the person reporting the incident, so that he/she may be contacted by the account user if there are any questions about the incident.

F

The EVVRS collects information on incidents that fall under the categories defined below. A school’s Student Codes of Conduct may specify consequences for other behaviors for which the school may be collecting data. Incidents should not be reported on the EVVRS solely because the school collects the information or imposes consequences for a specific behavior. Schools should only report the incidents defined under the EVVRS, and that take place on school grounds, at a school-sponsored event or on a school bus.

F

In most instances, if more than one type of offense occurs within an incident, all types must be reported. You will find the exceptions noted in the EVVRS User Manual, and the system will warn you if you try to make multiple entries that are not allowed. For example, the system will notify you if you attempt to report an incident as both an aggravated assault and assault with a weapon; you must choose one.

F

If more than one person is involved in an incident, the incident should be reported once. For example, if two students are fighting, the incident is reported as one fight.

F

For those offenses marked with an asterisk (*), the victim may be considered the victim of a violent crime and should be indicated as such on the Victim Information Page of the EVVRS if the person is determined to be a victim under the Unsafe School Choice Option Policy. Contacts with law enforcement regarding these incidents should be indicated in the Police Notification field under Header Information on the Incident Information Page and must be done pursuant to statute and code and in accordance with the Local Memorandum of Agreement between Education and Law Enforcement Officials.

Violence Incident

Simple Assault*

A person attempts to cause, or purposely, knowingly, or recklessly causes bodily injury to another. One needs to consider age and developmentally appropriate behavior before using this category.
See Scenario Examples 1-5.

Aggravated Assault*

A person attempts to cause serious bodily injury to another, or causes such injury purposely or knowingly, or under circumstances manifesting indifference to the value of human life, recklessly causes such injury (e.g., injury which creates a substantial risk of death, or which causes permanent disfigurement, or protracted loss or impairment of the function of any bodily member or organ). This category should be used only when the attack is very serious. A homicide would be reported in the aggravated assault category.
See Scenario Examples 1-5.

Fight

Mutual engagement in a physical confrontation that may result in bodily injury to either party. Does not include verbal confrontations or a minor confrontation such as a shoving match. All participants should be classified as offenders. One needs to consider age and developmentally appropriate behavior before using this category.
See Scenario Examples 1-5.

Gang/Group Fight*

A fight between two or more members of identified groups or an assault by two or more members of one group upon members of another group. The groups may be gangs per se, or cliques or groups of students "working together," even though the groups may not have a formal partnership. If it is a fight, then all participants should be classified as offenders (report a maximum of six offenders on the EVVRS). If the incident represents an assault of one group upon another, then the members of one group (a maximum of six) would be reported as offenders and the members of the second group (a maximum of six) would be reported as victims. If the incident was an assault of one group upon another, then, in addition, report the incident as either a "Simple Assault" or an ‘"Aggravated Assault" on the Incident Information Page, depending upon the seriousness of the bodily injury to the victims. If the incident was an assault and weapons of any kind were involved, then, in addition, report the incident as an "Assault with a Firearm" or ‘"Assault with Other Weapon" (but not as a "Simple Assault" or ‘"Aggravated Assault").

Robbery*

Obtaining money or other material things (regardless of value) from another by means of violence or threat of immediate violence. See Scenario Examples 6-7.

Extortion*

Obtaining money or other material things (regardless of value) from another by means of stated or implied threat of future violence. See Scenario Examples 6-7.

Sex Offense*

Subjecting another to sexual contact or exposure.  For the incident to be considered a sex offense, the offender must (1) intentionally touch, either directly or through clothing, the victim’s intimate parts, for the purpose of degrading or humiliating the victim;  (2) sexually arouse or sexually gratify himself or herself in view of the victim whom the offender knows to be present; (3) force or coerce the victim to participate in any contact or exposure; or (4) commit any act of sexual assault defined under N.J.S.A. 2C:14-2, which includes provisions related to the age of the victim and the offender.  Incidents of sexual assault should be reported in this category.  Intimate body parts are defined by statute (N.J.S.A. 2C:14-1e) to include "sexual organs, genital area, anal area, inner thigh, groin, buttock or breast of a person." Consider age and developmentally appropriate behavior before using this category. Note:  Sexual harassment has been added to the reporting system in 2003-2004 under the violence reporting category Harassment/Intimidation/Bullying.
See Scenario Example 11.

Threat

Attempting by physical menace (e.g., verbal threats) to put another in fear of future serious bodily injury. (Do not include bomb threats in this category.) One needs to consider age and developmentally appropriate behavior before using this category.
See Scenario Examples 8-10.

Terroristic Threat*

Threatening to commit one of the following criminal offenses: homicide, assault, sexual assault, robbery, kidnapping or arson with the purpose of placing others in imminent fear of one of the violent acts under circumstances reasonably causing the victims(s) to believe the immediacy of the threat and the likelihood that it will be carried out. One needs to consider age and developmentally appropriate behavior before using this category.
See Scenario Examples 8-10.

Kidnapping*

Per N.J.S.A. 2C:13-1, unlawful removal of a student from school or school grounds or a substantial distance from where he or she is found in or on school grounds; or confinement of the victim with the purpose of holding the victim for ransom or reward as a shield or hostage, or confinement for a substantial period of time to facilitate commission of a crime or flight thereafter, or to inflict bodily injury or to terrorize the victim.
See Scenario Examples 8-10.

a) a reasonable person should know, under the circumstances, will have the effect of harming a student or damaging the student’s property; or b) has the effect of insulting or demeaning any student or group of students in such a way as to cause substantial disruption in, or substantial interference with, the orderly operation of the school.
See Scenario Examples 16-19.

Vandalism Incident

Arson*

Starting a fire or causing an explosion in or on the grounds of a school thereby purposely or knowingly placing the victim or group of specified victims in danger of death or bodily injury; or with the purpose of destroying or damaging the victim’s or group of specified victims’ property that is in the school or on school grounds, a building or a structure of another. Arson does not include a simple act of lighting a match. Knowingly setting off a fire alarm when no fire exists, or damaging the alarm, is entered in the Damage to Property category.

Burglary

An individual entering, or surreptitiously remaining in, a school district facility or property, or someone’s property (e.g., automobile) with the purpose to commit an offense therein.

Damage to Property

Purposely, knowingly, or recklessly destroying or defacing school, contracted, or personal property, causing an economic loss due to repair or replacement. Knowingly setting off a fire alarm when no fire exists is entered in this category. Serious incidental damage to property occurring during an act of violence should be reported.

Fireworks Offense

The possession, selling/distributing, or detonating of a self-fusing explosive device, no greater in size than two inches, and commercially sold as "fireworks." Cherry bombs, M80s and M90s are reported in this category.

Theft

Taking of the district’s or a person’s belongings or property without consent.

Trespassing

Entrance onto school property or into a school building without permission by an individual, who knows he/she is not privileged to be on the property.

Cost to LEA

incurred by an individual student or staff member.

Substance Abuse Incident

Note.In the case of suspected use, the EVVRS Incident Reporting Form should be completed by the observing staff member. It is advisable to wait to enter the data until the results of the medical examination have become available. The student need not be caught in the act of using to be reported as "use."

Suspected Use Not Confirmed

Suspected Use Confirmed

An incident is reported as Suspected Use Confirmed when a positive determination from a medical examination indicates that the student is under the influence of alcoholic beverages, marijuana, and/or other drug (controlled dangerous substance, but not including cigarettes), or indicates that the student has used anabolic steroids. A report should be completed when suspected use is confirmed by a positive determination from a physician.

Possession

Student is found with alcohol, marijuana, and/or any other drug (controlled dangerous substance, including anabolic steroids, but not including cigarettes) in his/her locker or vehicle, or on his/her person. Includes possession of unauthorized prescription drugs and drug paraphernalia.

Distribution

Student is selling, buying, or giving alcohol, other controlled dangerous substance(s) or anabolic steroids to others, or employs others to do the same. The student need not be caught in the act of selling or giving. The term "distribution" includes having alcohol or other drugs under circumstances where it may be inferred that the student would distribute to others. Therefore, possession of a large amount of drugs should be reported as "distribution," not as "possession."

Click the dropdown menu to indicate which descriptor(s) characterize(s) the substance. More than one substance type may be selected.

Weapons Incident

Bomb Offense/ Type

If a bomb was used in the weapons incident, check the box to indicate the type of offense. Report fake bombs and bomb threats in this category. If the first or second box is checked, then an Incident Description field must be provided.

Firearm Offense - **Incident Description is required.** Select one of the three choices, defined below, from the dropdown menu.

Possession of a Firearm

Having on one’s person, or in one’s locker or vehicle, a handgun or rifle. The firearm need not be loaded. (Staff should not attempt to determine if weapon is loaded.) Include air guns, but do not include "look-alike" firearms that cannot be converted to a firearm. New Jersey law classifies "look-alike firearms" as firearms; federal law, however, does not. "Look-alike firearms" and paint ball guns are to be reported under Other Weapons (see Other Weapons Offense, below).

Assault with a Firearm

Attacking or physically harming someone by threatening with or shooting a handgun or rifle. The firearm need not be loaded. (Staff should not attempt to determine if weapon is loaded.)

Sale or Transfer of a Firearm

Selling, giving, or having in one’s possession with the intent to distribute or sell, a firearm of any kind.

Type

More than one type of firearm may be checked. Note: Imitation firearms such as "look-alike" handguns are not classified as firearms by federal law; they should be included under Other Weapons (see Other Weapons Offense, below).

Other Weapons Offense Select one of the three choices, defined below, from the dropdown menu.

Assault with Other Weapon

Attacking or physically harming someone with a knife, club, stun gun, chain, pepper spray, or other instrument (other than a firearm) readily capable of lethal use or of inflicting serious bodily injury.

Possession of Other Weapon

If Assault with Other Weapon is checked, Possession of Other Weapon cannot be checked.  Consider age and developmentally appropriate behavior before using this category. See Scenario Examples 12-15.

Sale or Transfer of Other Weapon

Selling or giving, or having in one’s possession with the intent to distribute or sell, a weapon of any kind.

Select other weapon type(s) from the dropdown menu. More than one weapon type may be checked.

F

See Appendix B: Other–Spec. Ed. Suspensions to view a list of behaviors — provided by a N.J. school district — that may result in suspension, but are not related to violence, vandalism, weapons, or substance abuse. This list is not intended by NJDOE to be either exhaustive or definitive.

!

When you click Continue, the data you entered are officially entered into the system. Do not use the right mouse button to go back to modify data! Duplicate data will result. To modify data, you must use the EVVRS Data Modification function.

!

If you click Continue, but the system returns you to the Other Incident–Students with Disabilities Page, check the top of the page for a message in red: You may have skipped a field that must be selected, or selected too many choices. Correct the data indicated and click Continue again.

F

Netscape users: When you click the Reload Previous Page button, a mostly blank screen with the words, Data Missing, at the top will display. Right-mouse click anywhere on the page, and select Reload from the dropdown list to return to the Main Menu Page.

Offender Information: All Students

Incident Number

The Incident Number is carried over by the EVVRS. Record this number on your paper record of the incident.

District Name

The District Name is carried over by the EVVRS.

School Name

The School Name is carried over by the EVVRS.

Offender Type

Click the dropdown menu to select the type of offender.

Offender Information: In-District Students Only

Student ID Number

Enter an identification number of at least three characters to be used for EVVRS purposes only. It may or may not be the student's district-based identification number. The NJDOE discourages the use of a social security number as a student identifier. The use of letters is permitted. Student ID Number is a mandatory field; data must be entered.

F

If you are reporting at the school level and the student is from a different school within the district, create an ID number for that student. (The location of the incident, not the offender's school of attendance, determines the assignment of an incident to a school.)

OAL Determination

Students with disabilities only: Was the student’s case heard by the Office of Administrative Law (OAL)? Select Yes or No. If you select Yes, indicate any alternative education placement ordered by an OAL judge.

F

Note: The OAL hears cases regarding students with disabilities when there is a disagreement between the district and parents about the nature of the alternative program recommended for the student. OAL judges are empowered to make decisions on placement in those cases, including removal to an alternative education setting.

Disciplinary Action Taken

Click the dropdown menu to select one of six choices, described below, for disciplinary action taken. If you do not indicate an action taken, None will be selected by default.

None

Indicates that no action was taken against a student.

Expulsion

Indicates that student was expelled from school and not recommended for placement in any other alternative program or services run by the district or other agency.

Removal to Alternative Education

Indicates that student was removed from the school’s regular or special education program and recommended for placement in an alternative instructional program, such as an alternative school in the district, home instruction, or an educational facility under the jurisdiction of another agency or school district.

In-school suspension

Indicates that student reports to the in-school suspension room and is not permitted to participate in school-related activities.

Out-of-school suspension

Indicates that student is not permitted on school property within the school district or allowed to participate in school-related activities.

Other Discipline

Indicates that students received some other disciplinary action, such as detention or community service. Do not include drug screening in this category.

Type of Removal to alternative education

Click the dropdown menu to select the type of program or school to which the student was referred.

Days suspended or removed

If the student was suspended or removed to an alternative program, enter the number of days the student was suspended or removed.
If the student was removed for the remainder of the school year, enter the number of days until the end of the school year.
If the student was removed for a school year (due, for example, to a firearms offense), then enter 365.

Services Received

Click here if the student with disabilities received an in-school suspension but received his/her IEP-specified services.

Incident Category

De-select the incident category (i.e., violence, vandalism, weapons, or substance abuse) that does not apply to this offender.
For example, say Offender A and Offender B are involved in an incident. Offender A commits a simple assault and damages school property in the same incident, while Offender B commits a simple assault. Therefore, the violence and vandalism categories in this field of the Offender Information Page for Offender A would be correctly checked, but you would have to deselect (uncheck) the vandalism box in this field of the Offender Information Page for Offender B.

Victim Information

Incident Number

The Incident Number is carried over by the EVVRS. Record this number on your paper record of the incident.

District Name

The District Name is carried over by the EVVRS.

School Name

The School Name is carried over by the EVVRS.

Victim Type

Select the type of victim from the dropdown menu.

Student ID Number

Enter an identification number of at least three characters to be used for EVVRS purposes only. It may or may not be the student's district-based identification number. The NJDOE discourages the use of social security numbers as student identifiers. The use of letters is permitted. Student ID Number is a mandatory field; data must be entered.

F

If you are entering data at the school level and the student is from a different school within the district, create your own ID number for that student. (The location of the incident, not the school of attendance of a victim, determines the assignment of an incident to a school.)

New Student Offender or Victim Information

Incident Number

The Incident Number is carried over by the EVVRS. Record this number on your paper record of the incident.

District Name

The District Name is carried over by the EVVRS.

School Name

The School Name is carried over by the EVVRS.

Student ID Number

The Student ID Number is carried over by the EVVRS.

First and Last Name

First Name: Enter the first name of the student offender or victim, or enter a substitute for the first name, using any combination of letters or numbers.

Last Name: Enter the last name of the student offender or victim, or enter a substitute for the last name, using any combination of letters or numbers.

F

Although the actual or full name of a student offender or victim need not be entered, these fields may not be left empty. By entering some unique identifier in these fields (such as the last four letters in a name, or an initial and a number), district or school staff ensure the correct assignment of a student to an incident. If an identical student ID number is incorrectly assigned to two different students, then one student will be listed as the offender for all incidents associated with both students. Entering a name — or any part of a name — helps verify data when the system locates multiple incident reports for a single student. A name thus provides a crosscheck that catches the incorrect assignment of a student ID number to more than one student.

Student gender

Click the dropdown menu to select Male or Female.

Student race/ethnicity

Click the dropdown to select one of the federal definitions, described below, for the offender or victim’s race/ethnicity.

American Indian or Alaskan Native

A person having origins in any of the peoples of North and South America (including Central America), and who maintains tribal affiliation or community attachment.

Asian or Pacific Islander

A person having origins in any of the peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia, the Indian subcontinent, or Pacific Islands — including, for example, Cambodia, China, India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippine Islands, Thailand, and Vietnam. The Pacific Islands include Hawaii, Guam, and Samoa.

Black or African American (Not Hispanic)

A person having origins in any of the Black racial groups of Africa.

Hispanic or Latino/Latina

A person of Cuban, Mexican, Puerto Rican, South or Central American, or other Spanish culture or origin, regardless of race.

White (Not Hispanic)

A person having origins in any of the original peoples of Europe, the Middle East, or North Africa.

Student Disability Category

If the offender or victim is a student with a disability, click the dropdown menu and select the type of disability.
If the offender or victim is not a student with a disability, leave None Selected.
For definitions of student disability categories, see Appendix A.

LEP

Check LEP if the student is limited English proficient.

Section 504

Check S504 if the student receives accommodations through a Section 504 Plan.

Search Criteria

Incident Number

Click the dropdown menu to select operators (e.g., <, =, >, between) for your search and enter an incident number, or a range of incident numbers. For example, to bring up all reports for a school with an incident number greater than 11,000, select ">" as the operator and type in "11000" in the first number field.

District Name

Your district name is carried over automatically from your login information.

School Name

If you are a school employee, you may only modify incident reports for your school. Your school name is carried over automatically from your user account information.

Incident Date

Click the dropdown menu to select operators (e.g., <, =, >, between) for your search. Enter an incident date. (For example, to search for incidents before January 5, 2001, choose < from the dropdown menu and enter January 5, 2001, or 01/05/01.

Student ID Number

Enter the student ID number — or the first few characters of the student ID number — for the student whose report(s) you wish to find.

Offender Type

Click the dropdown menu to select a type of offender. All incident reports involving. that offender type will display.

Victim Type

Click the dropdown menu to select a type of victim. All incident reports involving that victim type will display.

F

Each row of the search result table represents the record of an offender or victim associated with an incident. Thus, one incident number may display several times. For example, an incident involving two offenders and one victim would display three times.

F

Use the Problem/Solution table on the next page to determine which hyperlinks you should use to make your specific changes.

Search Result

Incident #

Click on the Incident Number hyperlink to jump to the Incident Information Page for the report you wish to modify. The information that displays corresponds to information you entered on the Incident Information Page or Other Incident–Students with Disabilities Page. Consult the Incident Header, Violence Incident, Vandalism Incident, Substance Abuse Incident, and Weapons Incident tables, presented in Chapter 2, to determine what information to enter in each field.

Date

The Date column displays the date on which the incident occurred to assist you in identifying the report you wish to modify. Entries in the Date column are not hyperlinks.

Offender Type

Click on an Offender Type hyperlink to jump to the Offender Information Page for a particular offender associated with the report you wish to modify. Consult the Offender Information: All Students and Offender Information: In-District Students Only tables, presented in Chapter 2, to determine what to enter in these fields.

Victim Type

Click on a Victim Type hyperlink to jump to the Victim Information Page for a particular victim associated with the report you wish to modify. Information about the victim cannot be modified; however, from the Victim Information Page, you can delete the victim from the report. See Problem/Solution table, next.

Student ID

Click on the Student ID hyperlink to jump to the Student Information Page for a particular offender or victim associated with the report you wish to modify. Consult the New Student Offender or Victim Information table, presented in Chapter 2, to determine what to enter in these fields.

Incident Category

The Incident Category column displays the category in which the incident was reported — violence, vandalism, substance abuse, weapons, other — to assist you in identifying the report you wish to modify. Entries in the Incident Category column are not hyperlinks.

School

The School column displays the name of the school at which the incident occurred to assist you in identifying the report you wish to modify. Entries in the School column are not hyperlinks.

Problem

Solution

1. How do I modify the description of the incident?

Click on the Incident Number hyperlink to jump to the Incident Information Page for the report you wish to modify. The information that displays corresponds to information you entered on the VV-SA Incident Information Page or the Other Incident–Students with Disabilities Page. Consult the Incident Header, Violence Incident, Vandalism Incident, Substance Abuse Incident, and Weapons Incident tables, presented in Chapter 2, to determine what information to enter in each field.

F

If the report is an "Other–Spec. Ed." suspension/removal, only modify information entered in the Incident Header table. If you enter information in the Violence, Vandalism, Substance Abuse, or Weapons Incident tables, the message "Only general information (top of page) may be checked" will display at the top of the screen after you click Update.

2. How do I reclassify an Other–Spec. Ed. incident as a VV-SA incident?

Click on the Incident Number hyperlink to jump to the Incident Information Page for the report you wish to reclassify. Scroll to the bottom of the Incident Information Page and click the checkbox to the left of the words "Suspension or removal for an incident not involving violence, vandalism, weapons, or substance abuse" to deselect it. Elsewhere on the page, click on the checkboxes that describe the VV-SA incident. If needed, consult the Incident Header, Violence Incident, Vandalism Incident, Substance Abuse Incident, and Weapons Incident tables, presented in Chapter 2, to determine what information to enter in each field.

3. How do I reclassify a VV-SA incident as an Other–Spec. Ed. incident?

Click on the Incident Number hyperlink to jump to the Incident Information Page for the report you wish to reclassify. Click any checkmarks that display in the Violence Incident, Vandalism Incident, Substance Abuse Incident, and Weapons Incident fields to deselect them. Scroll to the bottom of the Incident Information Page and click the checkbox to the left of the words "Suspension or removal for an incident not involving violence, vandalism, weapons, or substance abuse" to select it. If needed, consult the Incident Header table, presented in Chapter 2, to determine what information to enter to enter on this page.

4. How do I change the name of the school at which the incident occurred?

You cannot change the name of the school. E-mail the EVVRS (EVVRS@doe.state.nj.us) to delete the incident report; be sure to include the incident number. Then, create a new report with the correct information.

Problem

Solution

5. How do I delete an offender from an incident report?

Locate the row of the search result table that pertains to both the particular incident and the offender you wish to delete. Click on the Offender Type hyperlink in that row to jump to the Offender Information Page of that report. Scroll to the bottom of the page and click the Delete button. An alert will display, asking, "Do you want to delete this offender?" By clicking Yes, you sever the link between the Incident information and the data on the Offender information page.

6. How do I add a victim/offender to an incident report?

Locate the rows of the search result table that pertain to the incident to which you wish to add an offender or victim. Click on the Incident Number hyperlink in any of those rows to jump to the Incident Information Page of that report. Scroll to the bottom of the Incident Information Page and click the Add Offender and/or Victim button to display the People Involved in Incident Page. Consult the procedure provided in Chapter 2 to enter offender/victim information.

7. How do I change the Student ID number of an Offender/Victim?

You cannot change the Student ID number. Instead, you must delete the offender/victim from the incident report (see Problem 5, above), then add the offender/victim back in with the correct information (see Problem 6, above). If another student's name appears with the number that you want to assign to a new student offender/victim, then assign a different number to the new student offender/victim such as by adding a letter to the initial ID number.

8. How do I change the Offender/Victim type?

You cannot change the Offender/Victim type. Instead, you must delete the offender/victim from the incident report (see Problem 5, above), then add the offender/victim back in with the correct information (see Problem 6, above).

9. How do I delete an entire incident report?

You cannot delete an incident report using the Data Modification function. To delete an incident report in its entirety, submit an e-mail to the EVVRS (EVVRS@doe.state.nj.us) requesting the deletion. Be sure to include the incident number.

10. How do I modify information about an offender?

Locate the row of the search result table that pertains to both the particular incident and the offender whose report you wish to modify. Click on the Offender Type hyperlink in that row to jump to the Offender Information Page of that report. Consult the Offender Information: All Students and Offender Information: In-District Students Only tables to determine what to enter in these fields.

11. How do I modify information about a victim?

Victim information cannot be modified. You must delete the victim from the report (see Problem 12, below), then add a "new" victim to the report (see Problem 6, above), to alter victim information.

12. How do I delete a victim from an incident report?

Locate the row of the search result table that pertains to both the particular incident and the victim whose information you wish to modify. Click on the Victim Type hyperlink in that row to jump to the Victim Information Page of that report. Scroll to the bottom of the Victim Information Page and click the Delete button. An alert will display asking, "Do you want to delete this victim?" Click Yes. The victim will be deleted from the report and the Search result Page will display.

13. How do I edit the name, gender, race, or disability of a student?

Locate the row of the search result table that pertains to both the particular incident and the student whose information you wish to modify. Click on the Student ID hyperlink in that row to jump to the Student Information Page of that report. Consult the New Student Offender or Victim Information table to determine what to enter in these fields.

F

The EVVRS responds to requests for reports in a batch fashion, which means the reports will not be e-mailed to you as soon as you order them; they usually arrive overnight.

F

The reports you ordered will be sent to the e-mail address specified on the User Maintenance Page.

F

The reports you order will remain in the Reports Ordered column of the Order reports Page until they have been sent to you.

F

Local Boards of Education/District Year-End Final Report
The Annual District Report may be used by your district to satisfy the legal requirement to report incidents of violence and vandalism to the local Board of Education on an annual basis; this report is also known as the District Year-End Final Report.

F

Exclusion of Other–Spec. Ed. Offenses from the Annual District Report
The Annual District Report does NOT contain include suspensions/removals of students with disabilities for Other–Spec. Ed. offenses — that is, offenses other than violence, vandalism, weapons, or substance abuse. Report #10: Student with Disabilities Suspensions, which accompanies the Annual District Report, lists ALL suspensions of students with disabilities for any reason — violence, vandalism, weapons, or substance abuse incidents AND Other–Spec. Ed. suspensions.

F

District Account Users
If you make changes to reports after receiving the Annual District Report, you can order a revised report by clicking on the Reports button and selecting the District Year-End Final Report. If you order it by 4 PM, it will arrive the next day by e-mail with the four attachments described above.

F

Zero Incidents? Use the following method to confirm that no incidents of violence, vandalism, weapons or substance abuse occurred in the district all year: Review the Annual District Report for accuracy. If the report indicates zero (0) for all types of incidents — and that is indeed the case— then simply fax back the verification form that was attached to the e-mail and your reporting responsibilities will be complete.

F

A Note About Unduplicated Counts
The Annual District Report provides a count of each type of incident (e.g., fight, damage to property), grouped by each of the four reporting categories — violence, vandalism, weapons, and substance abuse. It also provides a subtotal for each category and a grand total. The subtotals for the four categories are unduplicated counts and therefore may not equal the sum of the types of incidents (for example, if a fight and threat occurred, each is counted once, but when summed, they are counted together as one incident of violence). The grand total is an unduplicated count of incidents, irrespective of the number of categories or types of incidents involved. As such, it equals the number of incident numbers for your district on the system.

F

Observe the verification deadline noted in the e-mail message that contains the Annual District Report. Plan to complete the verification procedure ahead of the deadline in case modifications must be made.

School Reports

1. Incident (VV-SA) Listing

This report lists, by incident number, the date, location, reporting category, and detail description of each incident.

2. Student Offender ID Listing

This report lists, by incident number, the student ID number, date, detail description, and reporting category of each incident.

3. Summary Count of Incident Detail

This report provides an unduplicated count of the different types of incidents (i.e., incident detail), the total for each incident category, and the grand total.

4. Incident Listing by Offender Type

This report groups incidents by offender type. In incident date order, it lists the incident number, date, reporting category, and detail description of each incident.

5. Student Victim Listing

This report lists the incident date, incident number, and student ID number for each incident involving a student victim.

6. Vandalism Incidents Listing

This report lists, by type of vandalism, incident number, date, and cost to the district for each vandalism incident. It includes a count of vandalism incidents in the school from the beginning of the school year to date, and the total cost to the district of these incidents.

7. Violence Incidents Listing

This report lists, by type of violence, the incident number and the date for each violence incident. It includes the total number of violence incidents in the school from the beginning of the school year to date.

This report lists, by type of weapons offense and specific type of bomb, firearm, or other weapon involved in the offense, incident number, and date of each weapons offense. It includes the total number of weapons offenses in the school from the beginning of the school year to date.

9. Substance Abuse Incidents Listing

This report lists, by type of substance abuse incident (with specific substance), incident number, and the date of each substance abuse incident. It includes a count of substance abuse incidents in the school from the beginning of the school year to date.

10. Student with Disabilities Suspensions

Students with disabilities only.
This report lists the date, incident number, incident category, and number of days suspended or removed for any reason (violence, vandalism, weapons, or substance abuse incidents AND Other–Spec. Ed. suspensions) for students with disabilities only. It also lists the cumulative days suspended or removed for each student.

11. Other–Spec. Ed. Suspensions Only

Students with disabilities only.
This report lists the student ID number, date, incident number, student eligibility category, and number of days suspended for all incidents involving suspensions of students with disabilities for reasons other than violence, vandalism, weapons, or substance abuse.

12. Action Taken Detail

This report lists the incident number, date, student ID number, and action taken for each incident involving an identified student offender.

13. Suspension Report

Excludes suspensions of students with disabilities for reasons other than violence, vandalism, weapons, or substance abuse.
For all VV-SA suspensions, this report lists the incident number, date, student ID number, action taken (either out-of-school suspension or in-school suspension), and number of days suspended.

14. Report on Placement in Alternative Education

This report displays the incident number, date, student ID number, alternative setting, and number of days removed for each incident involving students placed in alternative settings.

15. Police Notification Listing

This report lists the incident number, date, police notification status, and detail description for each incident involving police notification.

16. Victim Type Listing

This report lists the student ID number (blank if nonstudent), the incident number, date and victim type for each incident involving a victim.

17. Offender Type Listing

This report lists the incident number, date, and offender type for each incident involving an offender.

18. Incident Listing by Month

This report lists all incidents, grouped by month, then by incident number.

19. Victim of Violent Criminal Offense

This report lists all incidents for which data on victims of violent criminal offenses were entered. It lists incident #, availability of transfer option, and transfer outcome.

District Reports

District Year-End Final Report

This report is identical to the Annual District Report that is mailed automatically to the registered district account user of each school district at the end of each reporting year. Year-end information about all violence, vandalism, weapons, and substance abuse incidents reported using the EVVRS is contained in an e-mail report, and a formatted version of the report — creating using Microsoft Word — is attached. Three additional district reports are included: Report #1: Incident (VV-SA) Listing, Report #3: Summary Count of Incident Detail, and Report #10: Student with Disabilities Suspensions. A fax-back verification form is also attached.

1. Incident (VV-SA) Listing

This report lists, by school, the incident number, date, reporting category, and detail description of each incident.

2. Student Offender ID Listing

This report lists, by school, the incident number, student ID number, date, detail description, and reporting category of each incident.

3. Summary Count of Incident Detail

This report provides a count of each type of incident, grouped by reporting category. The grand total and the sum for each category are unduplicated counts.

4. Incident Listing by Offender Type

This report groups incidents by offender type. It lists the incident number, date, reporting category, and detail description of each incident.

5. Student Victim Listing

This report lists, by school, then by date, the student ID number, date, and incident number of each incident involving a student victim.

6. Vandalism Incidents Listing

This report lists, by school, then by type of vandalism, the incident number, the incident date, and the cost to the district for each vandalism incident. It includes a count of vandalism incidents in each school from the beginning of the school year to date, and the total cost to the district of these incidents.

7. Violence Incidents Listing

This report lists, by school, then by type of violence, the incident number and date for each violence incident. It includes the total number of violence incidents in each school from the beginning of the school year to date, and the total for the district.

8. Weapons Incidents

This report lists, by school, then by type of weapons offense, the specific type of bomb, firearm, or other weapon involved, the incident number, and date of each weapons offense. It includes the total number of weapons offenses for each school and for the district from the beginning of the school year to date.

9. Substance Abuse Incidents Listing

This report lists, by school, then by type of substance abuse incident, the specific substance(s), incident number, and date of each substance abuse incident. It includes a count of substance abuse incidents in each school from the beginning of the school year to date, and the total number of substance abuse incidents in the district.

1.

Speech Only (SP): "Eligible for speech-language services" means a speech and/or language disorder as follows:

a.

A speech disorder in articulation, phonology, fluency, voice, or any combination, unrelated to dialect, cultural differences or the influence of a foreign language, which adversely affects a student’s educational performance; and/or

b.

A language disorder which meets the criteria of N.J.A.C. 6A:14-3.5(c)4 and the student requires speech-language services only.

2.

Autism (AUT): "Autistic" means a pervasive developmental disability which significantly impacts verbal and nonverbal communication and social interaction that adversely affects a student's educational performance. Onset is generally evident before age three. Other characteristics often associated with autism are engagement in repetitive activities and stereotyped movements, resistance to environmental change or change in daily routine, unusual responses to sensory experiences and lack of responsiveness to others. The term does not apply if the student's adverse educational performance is due to emotional disturbance as defined in (c)5 below. A child who manifests the characteristics of autism after age three may be classified as autistic if the criteria in this paragraph are met. An assessment by a certified speech-language specialist and an assessment by a physician trained in neurodevelopmental assessment are required.

3.

Deaf-Blindness (DB): "Deaf/blindness" means concomitant hearing and visual impairments, the combination of which causes such severe communication and other developmental and educational problems that they cannot be accommodated in special education programs solely for students with deafness or students with blindness.

4.

Emotional Disturbance (ED): "Emotionally disturbed" means a condition exhibiting one or more of the following characteristics over a long period of time and to a marked degree that adversely affects a student’s educational performance due to:

a.

An inability to learn that cannot be explained by intellectual, sensory or health factors;

b.

An inability to build or maintain satisfactory interpersonal relationships with peers and teachers;

c.

Inappropriate types of behaviors or feelings under normal circumstances;

d.

A general pervasive mood of unhappiness or depression; or

e.

A tendency to develop physical symptoms or fears associated with personal or school problems.

5.

Hearing Impairments (HI): "Auditorily impaired" corresponds to "auditorily handicapped" and further corresponds to the Federal eligibility categories of deafness or hearing impairment. "Auditorily impaired" means an inability to hear within normal limits due to physical impairment or dysfunction of auditory mechanisms characterized by (c)1i or ii below. An audiological evaluation by a specialist qualified in the field of audiology and a speech and language evaluation by a certified speech-language specialist are required.

a.

"Deafness" - The auditory impairment is so severe that the student is impaired in processing linguistic information through hearing, with or without amplification and the student's educational performance is adversely affected.

b.

"Hearing impairment" - An impairment in hearing, whether permanent or fluctuating which adversely affects the student's educational performance.

6.

Language Impaired (LI): "Communication impaired" corresponds to "communication handicapped" and means a language disorder in the areas of morphology, syntax, semantics and/or pragmatics/discourse which adversely affects a student’s educational performance and is not due primarily to an auditory impairment. The problem shall be demonstrated through functional assessment of language in other than a testing situation and performance below 1.5 standard deviations, or the 10th percentile on at least two standardized oral language tests, where such tests are appropriate. When the area of suspected disability is language, assessment by a certified speech-language specialist and assessment to establish the educational impact are required. The speech-language specialist shall be considered a child study team member.

a.

When it is determined that the student meets the eligibility criteria according to the definition in (c)4 above, but requires instruction by a speech-language specialist only, the student shall be classified as eligible for speech-language services.

b.

When the area of suspected disability is a disorder of articulation, voice or fluency, the student shall be evaluated according to N.J.A.C. 6A:14-3.4(e) and if eligible, classified as eligible for speech-language services according to N.J.A.C. 6A:14-3.6(a).

7.

Multiple Disabilities (MD): "Multiply disabled" corresponds to "multiply handicapped" and means the presence of two or more disabling conditions. Eligibility for speech-language services as defined in this section shall not be one of the disabling conditions for classification based on the definition of "multiply disabled." "Multiply disabled" is characterized as follows:

a.

"Multiple disabilities" means concomitant impairments, the combination of which causes such severe educational problems that programs designed for the separate disabling conditions will not meet the student’s educational needs.

8.

Mental Retardation (MR): "Cognitively impaired" corresponds to "mentally retarded" and means a disability that is characterized by significantly below average general cognitive functioning existing concurrently with deficits in adaptive behavior; manifested during the developmental period that adversely affects a student’s educational performance and is characterized by one of the following:

a.

"Mild cognitive impairment" corresponds to "educable" and means a level of cognitive development and adaptive behavior in home, school and community settings that are mildly below age expectations with respect to all of the following:

(1)

The quality and rate of learning;

(2)

The use of symbols for the interpretation of information and the solution of problems; and

(3)

Performance on an individually administered test of intelligence that falls within a range of two to three standard deviations below the mean.

b.

"Moderate cognitive impairment" corresponds to "trainable" and means a level of cognitive development and adaptive behavior that is moderately below age expectations with respect to the following:

(1)

The ability to use symbols in the solution of problems of low complexity;

(2)

The ability to function socially without direct and close supervision in home, school and community settings; and

(3)

Performance on an individually administered test of intelligence that falls three standard deviations or more below the mean.

c.

"Severe cognitive impairment" corresponds to "eligible for day training" and means a level of functioning severely below age expectations whereby in a consistent basis the student is incapable of giving evidence of understanding and responding in a positive manner to simple directions expressed in the child’s primary mode of communication and cannot in some manner express basic wants and needs.

9.

Other Health Impaired (OHI): "Other health impaired" corresponds to "chronically ill" and means a disability characterized by having limited strength, vitality or alertness, including a heightened alertness with respect to the educational environment, due to chronic or acute health problems, such as attention deficit disorder or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, a heart condition, tuberculosis, rheumatic fever, nephritis, asthma, sickle cell anemia, hemophilia, epilepsy, lead poisoning, leukemia, diabetes or any other medical condition, such as Tourette Syndrome, that adversely affects a student’s educational performance. A medical assessment documenting the health problem is required.

10.

Orthopedic Impairments (OI): "Orthopedically impaired" corresponds to "orthopedically handicapped" and means a disability characterized by a severe orthopedic impairment that adversely affects a student’s educational performance. The term includes malformation, malfunction or loss of bones, muscle or tissue. A medical assessment documenting the orthopedic condition is required.

11.

Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD): "Specific learning disability" corresponds to "perceptually impaired" and means a disorder in one or more of the basic psychological processes involved in understanding or using language, spoken or written, that may manifest itself in an imperfect ability to listen, think, speak, read, write, spell, or to do mathematical calculations, including conditions such as perceptual disabilities, brain injury, minimal brain dysfunction, dyslexia, and developmental aphasia.

a.

It is characterized by a severe discrepancy between the student's current achievement and intellectual ability in one or more of the following areas:

(1)

Basic reading skills;

(2)

Reading comprehension;

(3)

Oral expression;

(4)

Listening comprehension;

(5)

Mathematical computation;

(6)

Mathematical reasoning; and

(7)

b.c.

The district shall adopt procedures that utilize a statistical formula and criteria for determining severe discrepancy. Evaluation shall include assessment of current academic achievement and intellectual ability.

12.

Traumatic Brain Injured (TBI): "Traumatic brain injury" corresponds to "neurologically impaired" and means an acquired injury to the brain caused by an external physical force or insult to the brain, resulting in total or partial functional disability or psychosocial impairment, or both. The term applies to open or closed head injuries resulting in impairments in one or more areas, such as cognition; language; memory; attention; reasoning; abstract thinking; judgment; problem-solving; sensory, perceptual and motor abilities; psychosocial behavior; physical functions; information processing; and speech.

13.

Visual Impairments (VI): "Visually impaired" corresponds to "visually handicapped" and means an impairment in vision that, even with correction, adversely affects a student’s educational performance. The term includes both partial sight and blindness. An assessment by a specialist qualified to determine visual disability is required. Students with visual impairments shall be reported to the Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired.

14.

Preschool Disabled (PRE): "Preschool disabled" corresponds to preschool handicapped and means an identified disabling condition and/or a measurable developmental impairment which occurs in children between the ages of three and five years and requires special education and related services.

15.

Not a Federal Category: "Social maladjustment" means a consistent inability to conform to the standards for behavior established by the school. Such behavior is seriously disruptive to the education of the student or other students and is not due to emotional disturbance as defined in (c)5 above.

F

This list is not intended by NJDOE to be either exhaustive or definitive.

Simple Assault

A person attempts to cause, or purposely, knowingly, or recklessly causes bodily injury to another. One needs to consider age and developmentally appropriate behavior before using this category.

Fight

Mutual engagement in a physical confrontation that may result in bodily injury to either party. Does not include verbal confrontations or a minor confrontation such as a shoving match. All participants should be classified as offenders. One needs to consider age and developmentally appropriate behavior before using this category.

Robbery

Obtaining money or other material things (regardless of value) from another by means of violence or threat of immediate violence.

Extortion

Obtaining money or other material things (regardless of value) from another by means of stated or implied threat of future violence.