This guide is designed to supply educators with a means to identify whether racial/ethnic disproportionality in discipline practice exists in their schools or districts. It also aims to help educators use data to reduce racial/ethnic disproportionality in suspensions and expulsions. The guide is organized into two sections. The first section…

Due process in school is an educational process for teaching the students that they are valued, that authority exists, and they they belong in the social unit. Historically, due process emerged as a way of guaranteeing rights and the privileges of governmental protection to a wider range of people in English and American institutions. The…

Discusses current trends in court assessments of school rules that specify discipline for possession or use of proscribed substances or articles. (MCG)

A Georgia school district standardized discipline procedures, codified offenses, and published the results in booklet form. A clear hierarchy of offenses specifies problems to be handled at the local school, at formal hearings, or at a special disciplinary committee. Students know what to expect, and administrators know how to proceed. (MLF)

This discussion of the discipline of students with disabilities notes rules and limitations that are different from those for the discipline of students without disabilities. Legal considerations in disciplining all students as well as those protected under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of…

By allowing students the opportunity to experience individual freedoms and encouraging them to learn and practice the responsibilities emanating from their individual rights, educators are teaching students how to govern themeslves. "Judicious Discipline" offers a perspective for school rules and decisions based on the Bill of Rights and…

An edited version of federal district court Judge William O. Bertelsman's opinion in "Bahr vs. Jenkins" reveals his thinking on the courts' self-restraint in cases affecting school administrators' authority when disciplining students. The opinion also discusses, in an informal style, the rights and responsibilities of parties in such…

A review of court opinions on school discipline suggests that the use of academic penalties as a sanction for student misconduct is widespread and increasing. In 12 cases during the past decade examined in this chapter, students won 5 and lost 7. In challenges of school board policies that assess academic penalties for truancy, students won in…

A review of court decisions indicates that schools may consider absence from class as a factor in overall academic evaluation and may impose academic penalties for absences due to truancy, suspension, or expulsion. However, academic penalties may not be imposed for misconduct that does not result in absence from class. (MLF)

An effective discipline plan must emphasize respect and responsibility while addressing behavior problems. Assertive Discipline essentially tells students, "Behave or else!" (TE)

Any restrictions on student dress must have a legitimate educational rationale. Standards of attire for school employees are also permissible. A dress-code policy that calls for reasonable restrictions and is enforced with common sense can create a better school environment. Restrictive measures can lead to costly lawsuits. Cites advantages of…

Examines a United States Supreme Court decision upholding the Bethel, Washington, school district in disciplining a student for giving a sexually provocative speech. Refers to the 1969 decision in "Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District," in which students had been suspended for wearing symbols of opposition to the…

Plagiarism and cheating can be defined as academic dishonesty and represent policy concerns among all levels of education. Such cases involve academic versus disciplinary decisions and the need to determine the student's understanding of the definition of plagiarism or cheating. This paper analyzes six legal issues raised in court cases and…

Detection of drug users at school is a problem complicated by recent New Jersey court cases upholding students' privacy rights against mandatory medical examinations and search-and-seizure actions. Requiring confidential medical screening by private physicians for sports and other extracurricular activities is an alternative strategy offering…

Suspension and expulsion should be a school's court of last resort. Before moving straight to suspension, school officials should provide discipline options such as counseling and alternative schools. Describes a rural New York school district where suspension and expulsion are rare. The goal is to keep every student in school so they can learn.…