My principals are asking when is it appropriate to use the code for fighting (17) versus using code 18 for minor altercation. If physical blows are not involved and 2 students are trading verbal abuse they are marking this as minor altercation and only listing the two combatants but no victims. But this flags as an error because 18 requires a victim. Can they list both combatants on the incident under offenders and also list them together at victim - or do they have to make two separate incident reports? Or since each student is equally at fault does this come under 'fighting" even though no blows are exchange?
I say that if both students are engaged in the conduct then it is fighting regardless of physical blows but if only one student is being aggressive toward another student and that student is not fighting back, then it is a minor altercation and requires a victim.
Please advise.
Thanks so much,
Cathy
