What to Do If Your Child Is Expelled From School
Learn what to do if your child is expelled, including tips on how to communicate with the school and your child.Medically reviewed by Heather ClarkeMedically reviewed by Heather ClarkeWhen your child is expelled from school, it can be very upsetting. School attendance is a huge part of a child or teen's life, and there can be lasting impacts of their social life and academic career. You may worry that your child will never have the chance to complete a quality education and that the rest of your child's life will be negatively affected. While an expulsion is an extremely serious matter, it does not mean your child cannot go on to be a success in school. To help your child through this difficult process (and grow from it), you will want to advocate for your child early in the expulsion process and continue to provide needed support.
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Difference Between Suspension and ExpulsionIf you have received a phone call from your child's school that indicates they are facing a disciplinary action, you will first want to be clear if your child is facing a suspension or an expulsion. The length and severity of the two disciplinary actions might prompt you to respond in different ways.School suspensions are short-term discipline actions in which a child may not sit in the regular classroom for a day or more. Suspension may be in school, where the child goes to a designated room and is supervised, or a child may not be physically present at school for a period. Similarly, detention is an even shorter term disciplinary action which usually takes place in school, either before or after school hours.However, when a child is expelled from school, they are removed from a particular school for a much longer period, often several months—or even permanently.Many people believe that expulsion means that a child will no longer be allowed to attend a school ever again, but for most public schools, this isn't true. Generally, after a very long period, a child may be able to enroll again. However, they may have special conditions to meet to do so.
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When Can Kids Be Expelled?Since expulsion is the most serious disciplinary action that a school can take, it is seen as a last resort punishment by the school.In public schools, it is reserved for the most serious behaviors. Public schools have a responsibility to provide an education to the children living within their boundaries. Grounds for expulsion are guided by federal and state laws, but may include:Possessing weapons: Under the federal Gun-Free Schools Act, any student who brings a gun to school must be expelled for a minimum of one full year. Many states have laws requiring expulsion for bringing other weapons, such as knives, to school.Using or selling drugs: Bringing, selling, or using drugs at school may also lead to expulsion, depending on the state.Violence or sexual assault: Many schools expel students for fighting or sexual assault.Private schools may set their own rules about who they expel. These guidelines should be listed in a student handbook. While private schools will also save expulsion for only very serious behaviors, private schools may include behaviors that they believe do not comply with the school's mission, like bullying or hate speech.
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How To Advocate For Your ChildThere are a number of things you can do between the time you learn your child is facing expulsion and a decision has been rendered to expel your child from school.Consider contacting an attorneyMany of the behaviors that lead to getting expelled from school can also lead to criminal charges. If your child may be facing criminal charges, contacting an attorney early on will give the attorney a chance to provide guidance throughout the process. Additionally, the expulsion process and the criminal process may each affect one another.Get all sides of the storyThe first contact you receive from the school will probably be a phone call asking you to come to the school to hear why they are considering expelling your child. You will want to attend this meeting and listen carefully to what the school staff says. Stay calm during this meeting and focus on listening and asking questions to make sure you understand the school's side of the story. The school staff will explain what they believe your child did and tell you what evidence they have to support this. Keep your questions focused on what they are saying your child did, how they know what happened, and how it meets the criteria for expulsion.You can then have a calm discussion with your child asking them their side of the story. You may want to tell your child upfront that it is important that they are honest with you right now so you can help them through this situation. Learn your state discipline lawsExpulsion criteria are determined by individual states. You can learn more about your child's rights and when a school can expel a student by finding out what your state guidelines are. You can find them at the National Center on Safe Supportive Learning Environments.
Students With DisabilitiesStudents with disabilities have special rights when facing expulsion under federal law. They can not be excluded from public programs and services unless their presence would pose a direct safety threat to other participants or require fundamental changes to the program. If your child has a disability and is expelled, your child must still have access to free and appropriate education.
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Get a student handbookIn addition to understanding your state's discipline laws, the individual school's discipline rules and procedures should be listed in the school's student handbook. Many schools provide hard copies of the handbook to students at the beginning of the school year. It may also be available on the school or school district's website.Retain copies of related documentationSchools in most states are required to provide written notices of suspensions and expulsions. Keep copies of any paperwork that the school provides you connected with the incident. You can also ask for any documents related to your child's possible expulsion.If your child is facing expulsion because of repeated suspension, be sure you have all notices and documents about the past suspensions. If you were not provided with these notices or have misplaced them, ask the school for new copies.Prepare for the hearing processConstitutional law dictates that your child has a right to a fair hearing before being expelled. This process should include a chance for the school's and your child's side of the story to be heard. Your child's story can be presented by you or someone you have chosen such as an educational advocate or attorney. You may be able to bring in witnesses, documents you received from the school, or other evidence. Think carefully about appealingThe hearing will lead to a decision over whether or not your child is expelled from school. You may be disappointed, angry, or saddened if your child is expelled. Make sure you have a strong support system around you, whether that's family members or a mental health expert, like a therapist—for both you and your child. The expulsion process can be difficult for everyone involved, including a loving parent who has strongly advocated for their child.An appeal may seem like a fast way to turn the tide back in your favor, but generally, you should only appeal if you believe that the evidence at the hearing did not support the decision to expel your child.If you do decide to appeal, you should be able to find guidelines detailing how to do so in the student handbook or in other materials you have been provided by the school district.Seek emotional or behavioral supportThe incident and behavior that is leading to an expulsion could be the final push you need to address challenges your child is experiencing. If your child was caught with drugs at school, you may want to get a substance abuse evaluation. If your child is experiencing problems with fighting, they may be having emotional issues that require intervention.
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After Your Child Is ExpelledYou may have already gone through a stressful process before your child has been expelled. You may be experiencing a variety of emotions, from relief that the hearing process is over to disappointment in the outcome.Your child still needs you while adjusting to the expulsion itself, so be sure to take care of yourself as you are caring for your child. The expulsion period may bring some new challenges as well as opportunities for growth and a fresh start.Understand all terms of expulsionYou will want to know if they are banned just the grounds of their specific school, all school district grounds, for how long, and under what conditions. If your child wishes to attend a special school event of a sibling or close friend and they have been banned from school grounds, find out if there is a way to request a special pass for the event.Learn the terms of returning to schoolYour child may have to meet certain requirements to return to school. These steps may be written out in a customized school re-entry plan that should detail exactly what your child needs to do to return, including any classes, volunteer work, or evaluations that need to take place.Explore alternative learning optionsDuring expulsion, it's wise to create an academic framework for your child so they don't fall behind in school. Being expelled does not mean your child's education is ending. Some alternative learning options that might be available to your child include:Homeschooling programsOnline public school programsOther local public or private schools that may accept your childSpecialized public or private schools serving students with disciplinary issuesWhichever option you choose, be sure it fits your child's unique needs.
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