California is a diverse state, with many different cultures, nationalities and languages. But what if parents do not speak English? How are they to read a report card or understand what is happening in an expulsion hearing? There are many triggers which mandate translations be provided by public schools, including
Bullying seems to be everywhere in schools. What if the bullied student or the bully are special needs students and it is impacting their education? Can the IEP (Individualized Education Program) team get involved to support the student? Yes! First, Report Bullying If student bullying is occurring, parents can report
Special education can be challenging for a parent enmeshed in the special education system. One of the first things to know are the timelines for certain actions. For example, what is the timeline for holding an IEP (Individualized Education Program) meeting? What about the timeline for an assessment to be
Do you know a student who received an “F” when they should have gotten a “C?” Was the student graded down for discriminatory reasons? Maybe the teacher “lost” the student’s assignments, which lowered their grade? Or, did the teacher fail to provide 504 or special education accommodations which then dropped
School officials are mandated to report some students to the police already. However, a new California law now mandates students must be reported for writings, pictures, art, journal entries and other depictions or communications, which could evidence homicidal intent. Watching students’ every communication, assignment, scribble, picture and otherwise, to see
Schools may legally question students to investigate bullying, ask about fights, or look into broken school rules. But, should students talk when questioned? Students Can Incriminate Themselves A school investigation can end up in a student revealing they committed an expellable offense and land them at the local continuation school.
Far too frequently, I hear from public school parents that a school will not cough up witness statements used to suspend a student. Is this legal or not? Documents used to discipline a student are typically considered student records of that student, which their parent must be given upon request.
Student expulsions occur more often than parents might think. Life may be going along smoothly, when a parent suddenly finds themselves on a call with a Vice Principal, demanding they come pick up their child, who is getting suspended. Upon arrival at school, the parent may be told that a
Usually when minor students are in trouble at school, the school administration will interview them. Once in a while, I hear about police conducting interviews. This may or may not be appropriate, depending on the student offense being alleged and the type of interview. There are legal mandates in California
A student manifestation meeting, where conduct is evaluated in relation to a student’s disability before a special education student is forced to move, is critical. This meeting can stop a forced student removal (for example, an expulsion) cold. But what if the IEP (Individualized Education Program) team finds there is
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