When is it time for a nonpublic school (NPS) for a special education student? How does a parent get an NPS placement? What is a Non-Public School (NPS)? A nonpublic school (NPS) is typically a government funded specialized school for students who require more interventions and supports than the traditional
Terminology in schools can be very confusing. Schools always presume parents know what terms like “504” and “Section 504” mean, when most don’t. Why would we? What is the definition of “504” and what is “Section 504?” Why is knowing about Section 504 critical for some disabled students? Let’s clear
Title IX (9), a federal civil rights law to prevent sexual harassment, is now being grappled with in K-12 schools. However, it is being inconsistently applied. Some schools suspend and expel a student and never pursue a Title IX investigation. Others pursue a Title IX investigation and emergency removal. Some
Parents of a public school student on a 504 Plan (essentially an accommodations plan for a qualified disabled student) sometimes find themselves facing a 504 manifestation meeting. This manifestation meeting can be imposed with little notice and usually happens when larger student discipline is looming (e.g. school expulsion). Just what
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.
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
When college difficulties arise, from potential discipline to professor issues, handling them can be challenging. Most students have not examined the 200+ page college handbook or all relevant policies. There are also many skilled college staff lined up against one lone student. It can be… intimidating. What is a student
Receiving a sexual harassment complaint or sexual violence allegation can have significant consequences for students. For many years, Title IX (aka “title nine”), a federal law prohibiting sexual harassment and discrimination was mainly used to punish college students. However, Title IX is now being used in public elementary, middle and
Some people have strong opinions on the United States military, good or bad. All parents need to be aware that if military recruiters ask a public high school for student information, schools will provide this information unless the parent (or student at 18) opts out. Similar disclosures to military recruiters
One sure way to be recommended for expulsion from a California school is to bring explosives in a student backpack. Students should not give pipe bombs to other students, make Molotov cocktails and sell them to students at school, bring a grenade, or injure other students by bringing something that
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