District Alternative Education Program

About Our Program

DAEP is an alternative to long-term suspension. It is a voluntary program that provides 6th – 12th grade students with the opportunity to continue their education and reflect on the underlying behaviors and circumstances that led to the inappropriate behavior. DAEP assists students in learning appropriate behaviors and making better choices so they can be a successful student when they are restored to their home school.

FAQ for Parents and Guardians

What does DAEP stand for and what is it?
DAEP stands for District Alternative Education Program. DAEP is an alternative to long-term suspension. It is a voluntary program that provides 6th – 12th grade students with the opportunity to continue their education and reflect on the underlying behaviors and circumstances that led to the inappropriate behavior. DAEP assists students in learning appropriate behaviors and making better choices so they can be a successful student when they are restored to their home school.

Is this a TUSD program?
Yes, and as such all TUSD guidelines, such as Code of Conduct, dress code, cell phone policy, and technology use agreements (just to name a few) apply to students who have chosen to enroll in DAEP. Please see the Orientation paperwork for more specifics re: behavior expectations while in the program.

Is DAEP at my student's school?
Likely not. We have five locations: three for middle school and two for high school. Currently these are the locations:

• High school: Project MORE and Southwest Ed Center
• Middle school: Doolen, Magee, and Southwest Ed Center

Assignment at a site is always on a case by case basis. Depending on the incident, a host school (Doolen or Magee) can request that one of their suspended students not be placed at their campus classroom.

How can my child enroll in DAEP?
Once the Long Term hearing has been held, the administration will fill out a DAEP referral form and send it to DAEP staff. When it arrives, the Transition Specialist will call you and arrange for an Orientation/Enrollment meeting. Both parent and students must be present at this meeting. Once paperwork is completed, the student can begin in the program. If you haven't heard from DAEP staff by three days after the hearing, please call Lee at 520-205-0410.

What are the hours?
The high school site hours are 9:00-1:45 (breakfast at Project MORE is 8:45-9:00). Wednesday dismissal is at 12:45
The middle school site hours are 8:00-2:15 (breakfast served within the program hours), Wednesday dismissal is at 12:25.

Do they have lunch?
Both breakfast and lunch are available for TUSD students. Times are in between host sites scheduled breakfast and lunch times. If your child receives free and reduced meal assistance, that will be honored at the DAEP site.

Does the program have a uniform?
None of the DAEP site classrooms have a uniform even if the host school does have a uniform policy. However, TUSD dress code per Policy JICA is strictly enforced.

Is transportation provided?
Tucson City bus passes are offered to students to assist in getting them to the program site. If a student has an IEP, additional transportation may be arranged. This could include a TUSD bus or HandiCar.

We live close, can my student walk?
Yes. However, TUSD portal-to-portal policy applies as it would at your regular school. Should a student choose to break the Code of Conduct on the way to school or the way home, code of conduct consequences will apply.

Will my student get credit?
Grades for work done while in DAEP are provided to the suspending teachers and school office staff to be incorporated and entered into the Student Information System. Our DAEP staff do all they can to make sure credit is provided if earned.

My student is EE (has an IEP), will he/she receive services?
In addition to the transportation mentioned above, your child's IEP will be provided to the DAEP teachers and assignments will be adjusted as indicated by the IEP as well as other accommodations listed in the IEP.

My child was very successful in DAEP. Can he/she stay longer than the suspension time?
DAEP is an Alternative to Suspension program. It is not an alternative education setting. Only students who have been suspended may enroll, and they may only stay until the suspension time has concluded.