STANDING UP FOR STUDENTS WHO HAVE BEEN DISCIPLINED
School Discipline
Protecting Students from Unfair Suspension, Expulsion, and Discipline Violations
Suspension or expulsion from school is serious and has lasting consequences. High school students who are suspended or expelled will very likely have to disclose that information on college applications. Given these far ranging consequences, families must ensure that schools follow a fair process when making disciplinary decisions. Legal advocacy can make the difference in whether a student gets suspended at all, how long a suspension lasts, and whether expungement (removing the suspension from the record) may be possible.
If your child has been suspended, we can work with your family towards getting them back into school quickly and addressing any contributing underlying factors that might lessen the severity of the consequence. We represent all children facing discipline issues, including those in general and special education in public school, those attending independent (private) schools, and those in non-public placements.
How Our Education Attorneys Can Help
At the Law Offices of Joseph & Rabb, we support students facing disciplinary proceedings and advocate for equitable and fair disciplinary actions.
Ensuring that schools follow appropriate disciplinary procedures
Protecting children from discipline for behavior that is related to their disability
Representing students facing expulsion hearings or appeals
Advocating for students unfairly terminated from college and graduate programs
Supporting families of private school students who are asked to disenroll
Addressing informal removals or shortened school days.
Legal Protections for Students with Disabilities
Despite protections in the law, some students are at a higher risk of suspension than others, like students of color or students with disabilities. There may also be underlying issues that affect students behavior, such as undiagnosed disabilities or attention issues, disabilities that are misunderstood or underestimated, or harm caused by unaddressed bullying.
Laws and regulations that govern school discipline provide additional protections for students with disabilities facing suspension or expulsion. It is crucially important to understand the connection between disability and the school disciplinary process in order to ensure that a student is not penalized unfairly or for behaviors they cannot control, and is afforded their full rights in the discipline process.
Challenges We Support
We frequently help families facing issues like:
Repeated removals from class for behavior related to a disability
The school’s failure to provide a report after a restraint
Discipline due to symptoms of ADHD, autism, or an emotional disability
Lack of behavior intervention plans, or behavior intervention plans that are not being followed
Exclusion from field trips due to “worry” over future behavior
If any of this sounds familiar, you’re not alone, and your child has rights.
Choose the Support That’s Right for You
Every family’s needs are different and we’re here for all of them. Whether you’re just starting to ask questions or need someone to step in and advocate on your behalf, our team offers support that meets you where you are. Here’s how you can work with us:
Coaching for Confident Parents
You want to stay in the driver’s seat, but with expert backup. Our Parent Coaching model gives you one-on-one sessions with an education attorney to answer questions, build a strategy, and help you prepare for school meetings.
Legal Representation When You Need It
Sometimes, school issues require more than guidance. Our education attorneys and trained advocates can represent you directly in meetings, disciplinary proceedings, or legal matters.
Stand Up for Your Child’s Rights
If your child is facing repeated school removals or unfair disciplinary actions, we can help. Our attorneys are experienced in both special education law and student discipline and we’re ready to advocate for your family.