By Mike DeNardo

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – When classes begin in three weeks, there’ll be new rules for discipline at Philadelphia schools.

Before, when a student committed a minor violation like cursing, or cutting class, the district’s zero-tolerance policy would require an out-of-school suspension. Last night, The School Reform Commission changed the code of conduct for students, giving principals more leeway to hand out in-school suspensions.

Violent incidents and weapons possession would still trigger an expulsion or assignment to a disciplinary school.

The thinking is that out-of-school suspensions for minor offenses did more harm than good, disrupting the students’ education and disenfranchising them, instead of addressing the reason the child may be acting out.

The SRC also indicated it would change the dress code to protect the rights of transgendered students.