studentrights

K-12 Students: 3 Things To Do If You (Or Your Child) Are Suspended or Expelled from School

Unfortunately, it remains the norm for primary and secondary schools throughout the country to use suspension and expulsion as a remedy for bad behavior, despite almost no evidence that removing students from the educational environment works to deter bad behavior or increase academic performance.  

To the contrary, data from the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights indicates that even a single suspension increases the likelihood of future misconduct, and can lead to lower graduation rates and increased involvement in the juvenile justice system. So, it is an understatement to say that suspension and expulsion can be disruptive to a student’s education and social progression. 

In Ohio, suspensions and expulsions are allowed under state law. Out-of-school school suspensions may be issued for up to 10 consecutive school days. Expulsions (which, if issued, always follow a suspension) may be issued for up to 80 days for common rules violations, and up to one year for more serious offenses such as bringing a weapon onto school property or making a bomb threat. (Note that Ohio students in grades K-3 may only be suspended or expelled for these more serious offenses.) Permanent exclusion is also a possibility for students who commit very serious criminal acts. Suspensions and expulsions include complete removal of the student from the school environment.

If you or your child are facing suspension or expulsion, you should consider taking these steps to protect yourself and mitigate any negative impact to your or your child’s education:

#1 – Review the Notice Carefully 

You should first receive a Notice of Intent to Suspend/Expel, informing you of the alleged infractions, followed by an actual Notice of Suspension/Expulsion, notifying you that you have been suspended/expelled. Review the alleged infractions in the student handbook and in the school’s policies and compare the definitions for the infractions to what took place. Pay close attention to the appeal deadlines. This is a good time to contact an attorney if you plan to use one. 

#2 – Always Appeal 

You should appeal the suspension/expulsion, even if you’re not sure whether you plan to pursue the appeal. An attorney can appeal for you, but the deadline to appeal can be as short as 2-3 days, so you may need to appeal before you find an attorney. Make sure you submit the appeal in writing in accordance with the instructions on the notice. You are entitled to separate suspension and expulsion appeal hearings (if you are dealing with both), although you may ask to combine them if they would be redundant. An appeal hearing will be scheduled, usually within days. You can always request an extension in order to prepare for the hearing, gather records, obtain counsel, etc. 

The hearing will provide you a chance to explain your side of the story and submit evidence. You may also call witnesses to the hearing, although the process is less formal than court. Obviously, you need to prepare very well for your hearing, highlighting the reasons that you believe suspension/expulsion is not warranted. Your appeal can be withdrawn if you change your mind or determine that the suspension/expulsion is acceptable. 

#3 – Complete All Assignments While You Are Out of School

In Ohio, schools must give students at least 50% credit during an out-of-school suspension. The same is not true for expulsion. Nonetheless, during the pending appeal(s) and through any suspension/expulsion period, complete as much work as you can. Try to stay as current with your assignments as possible. The reasons for this are twofold: (1) this keeps you from falling too far behind academically during the appeal hearings and any imposed suspension/expulsion period, and (2) this indicates to the hearing officer(s) that you are both capable and motivated to continue learning. This can help you in your appeal hearing because you can argue that you are a contributing student who can seamlessly transition right back to the classroom environment. 

We hope you can avoid suspension and expulsion altogether. But, if you find yourself in trouble, taking these three steps will help to mitigate the negative effects of suspension/expulsion.

Written by Mark Weiker, Esq. from Albeit Weiker, LLP; education law attorney focused on student rights & father of two.

If you have questions about school discipline, or need representation, call us at 614-745-2001. 

Changing Student Records

Parents and Students Have a Right to Request Amendment or Removal of an Education Record

Students ages 18+ and parents of students under age 18 have a right under federal law to request removal or amendment of inaccurate files contained in the student’s education record. The right exists under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (“FERPA”) and it applies to students of all ages (pre-school to Ph.D.) who attend or attended schools that receive federal funding. This includes all public schools and many private schools.

Initial Request to Amend of Remove an Education Record 

If a parent or student believes an education record (including any disciplinary record or special education record) contains information that is inaccurate, misleading, or in violation of the student’s privacy, they must start by requesting that the school remove or amend the record. 34 C.F.R. § 99.20. Although not required, it is best to make the initial request in writing.

Under FERPA, the school must then decide, within a reasonable time, whether or not to amend the record as requested. If it complies with the request, the process ends.

If the school decides not to amend or remove the record as requested, it must notify the parent or student of its decision and also inform the parent or student that they have a right to a hearing on the matter. Id.

Required Hearing and Applicable Rules 

A school must provide a parent or student, on request, a hearing to challenge the content of the student’s education records on the grounds listed above. 34 C.F.R. § 99.21. The hearing must be held within a reasonable time following the request. The school must give the parent or student notice of the date, time, and place, reasonably in advance of the hearing. 34 C.F.R. § 99.22.

The hearing may be conducted by any person, including any school official, who does not have a direct interest in the outcome of the hearing. The school must give the parent or student a full and fair opportunity to present evidence relevant to the request for amendment or removal. The parent or student may be represented by an attorney at their own expense.

Following the hearing, the school must deliver its decision in writing within a reasonable period of time. The decision must be based solely on the evidence presented at the hearing and must include a summary of the evidence and the reasons for the decision.

Good Outcome: Written Notice That the File Will be Amended 

If, as a result of the hearing, the school decides that the information is inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the privacy rights of the student, it must: (1) amend the record accordingly; and (2) inform the parent or student of the amendment in writing. 34 C.F.R. § 99.21.

Bad Outcome: Right of Parent or Student to Place a Statement in the Record 

If, as a result of the hearing, the school decides that the information in the record is not inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the student’s privacy, it must inform the parent or student that they may place a statement in the record commenting on the contested information or indicating why they disagree with the decision of the school, or both. Id.

If the parent or student provides a statement and the school places it in the student’s record, the school must: (1) maintain the statement with the contested part of the record for as long as the record itself is maintained; and (2) disclose the statement whenever it discloses the portion of the record to which the statement relates. Id.

What to Do When a School Refuses to Follow the Process

A parent of a student may file a written complaint with the Family Policy Compliance Office of the U.S. Department of Education regarding any alleged violation of FERPA. The Complaint form is available at http://familypolicy.ed.gov/complaint-form.

Questions? Call us! 614-745-2001