Summarizes discipline procedures for students with disabilities, as put forth in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act 1997. Discusses discipline procedures for exclusion from current placement of 10 days or less; discipline procedures for suspension/expulsion of more than 10 days; and discipline procedures for weapons/drug offenses and…

The literature and court cases point to the need for discipline alternatives for handicapped students other than suspension and expulsion. As more cases come to court, and as more specific policies are formulated, the discipline dilemma between this need and actual practice should be resolved. (JOW)

The 1997 Individuals with Disabilities Education Act amendments offered a welcome shield for disabled students who found themselves unfairly disciplined within their school placements. Highlights the disagreements that continue over the bill's interpretation, and the fight by advocates for the disabled to limit unreasonable suspensions and…

Presents a case study illustrating the need for campus judicial proceedings to balance sensitivity to the disabled with consistent application of conduct standards. Student affairs administrators are both legally and morally bound to prevent the discriminatory application of judicial procedures. (JAC)

The Secretary of Education explains the proposals to amend regulations of the Education for All Handicapped Children Act. He discusses paperwork reduction, evaluation streamlining, medical services, disciplinary procedures, effect of placement on nonhandicapped, and changes in eligibility criteria. (CT)

This discussion of corporal punishment as an aversive intervention with regular and special education students notes that corporal punishment is still legal and being used in many states. Special problems in the use of corporal punishment with students having disabilities are noted. The paper concludes that comprehensive procedural safeguards for…

An examination of disciplinary guidelines indicates that school officials are held to a higher standard of proof in disciplinary proceedings involving students with disabilities. Principals have considerable leeway for short-term disciplinary exclusions, and for excluding any students bringing firearms to school. Preventive measures are best for…

A draft policy developed by the Minneapolis (Minnesota) public schools concerning the use of aversive or deprivation procedures with students who are handicapped is presented. The policy model covers such elements as response to prior interventions; written treatment plan; informed consent; supervision; maintenance and retention of records;…

Problem behavior at school "interferes with the educational process and places a burden on teachers" (U.S. Department of Education 2002, p. III-17). Disciplinary problems have long been linked to negative outcomes for students with disabilities, such as course failure and dropping out of school (Wagner et al. 1991). Parents, administrators,…

The controversial legal issue of disciplinary exclusion of special education students is summarized. Presented in question and answer format, the information digest addresses the following questions: Why is the disciplinary exclusion of special education students so controversial? When can a special education student be excluded from school for…

The United States Supreme Court decision in "Honig v. Doe" precludes school officials from unilaterally excluding special needs children who become disruptive. School officials may use disciplinary procedures applicable to all students or seek judicial relief to obtain alternative placements for handicapped children. (MLF)

Problems in the use of punishment, including corporal punishment, restraint, and timeout, in the special education classroom indicate a need for a clear policy regarding its use. There is the danger that appropriate, limited punishment may escalate in intensity until it becomes abusive unless its users follow well-conceived guidelines. (SEW)

Examines briefly important concepts in the discipline of students with disabilities. Explains the principles developed through case law, which can provide guidance to administrators struggling with questions regarding the discipline of such students. Notes that the same principles may hold for the student at risk for school failure. (SR)

Focuses on practical guidelines for the implementation of discipline policy at the local level, including suggestions for distinguishing discipline policy for disabled students from discipline policy affecting students in general. (MLF)

Student punishment has received increased scrutiny; one of the concerns is that not all students are punished equally. This paper presents findings of a study that investigated whether race, gender, or existence of student disability affected punishment practices in an eastern Kentucky school district. Since corporal punishment had been banned in…