Students’ Responsibilities Lesson goal

“Ignorance of the law is no excuse.”

STUDENTS’ RESPONSIBILITIES

Disciplinary actions

School boards are required by Virginia law to establish discipline policies “designed to provide that public education be conducted in an atmosphere free of disruption and threat to persons or property and supportive of individual rights.”

STUDENTS’ RESPONSIBILITIES

Disciplinary actions, cont.

• The specific consequences for misbehavior will depend on the student conduct policy. In general, the more serious the offense, the more serious the consequences.
• Disciplinary actions in school are intended to correct behavior.
• Disciplinary action may range from a verbal warning to expulsion from school.

What kinds of disciplinary action do you know about?

STUDENTS’ RESPONSIBILITIES

Disciplinary actions, cont.

• Schools have a legal responsibility to establish policies that make schools safe and orderly.
• School disciplinary decisions may be appealed in accordance with school policy.

STUDENTS’ RESPONSIBILITIES

Suspension and expulsion

Virginia law defines long- and short-term suspension and expulsion.

Suspension:

• Short-term suspension is disciplinary action which mandates that a student is not permitted to attend school for up to 10 days.
• Long-term suspension mandates that a student is not permitted to attend school for more than 10 school days but fewer than 365 calendar days.

STUDENTS’ RESPONSIBILITIES

Suspension and expulsion, cont.

Expulsion:

• Expulsion mandates that a student is not permitted to attend school within the school division and is ineligible for readmission for 365 calendar days after the date of the expulsion.
• Virginia law also says that after expulsion, a student may apply or reapply for readmission.

STUDENTS’ RESPONSIBILITIES