Whether your child is in first grade or you are entering your second year of graduate school, you might find yourself having trouble. At the beginning of each academic year, students are given a handbook that sets out the rules and expectations they need to follow while attending school, which include both academic and personal requirements. If a student is accused of violating any of the rules or regulations found in the student handbook, they may be adjudicated for it. The exact procedure for such an adjudication can also be found in the student handbook.
All students have the right to advisory counsel when accused of violating the school's regulations – even when those accusations center around satisfactory progression issues. Educational attorney-advisor Joseph D. Lento and the Lento Law Firm Education Law Team have spent years helping students around the country navigate these proceedings. Call today for help.
Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach Metropolitan Area
Florida is one of the largest states in the United States. As such, it has some of the largest metropolitan areas. The Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach metro area is the ninth largest metropolitan area in the entire country, with a population of over 6 million. Additionally, it is made up of several cities, including:
- Miami
- Hialeah
- Fort Lauderdale
- Pembroke Pines
- Hollywood
- Miramar
- Coral Springs
- Miami Gardens
- Pompano Beach
- West Palm Beach
- Davie
- Boca Raton
- Sunrise
- Plantation
- Miami Beach
- Deerfield Beach
- Boynton Beach
- Lauderhill
- Doral
- Homestead
- Aventura
- Palmetto Estates
- Parkland
- Hallandale Beach
- Jupiter
- Country Walk
- Delray Beach
- Glenvar Heights
- Palm Springs
- Weston
- Westood Lakes
- Wilton Manners
- Pahokee
- Schall Circle
- Seminole Manor
- Medley
- Mission Bay
- Ocean Ridge
- Gulf Stream
- Fisher Island
Lawyers usually need to restrict their practice to a particular town or state because of state bar regulations. Nonetheless, academic attorney-advisor Lento and the Lento Law Firm Education Law Team can assist families and students across the United States. Their incredible expertise and breadth of knowledge give them an unmatched understanding of the difficulties that students encounter while confronting educational issues.
Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach Metro Area Student Concerns
As we explained above, school can be difficult no matter the age of the student. For instance, fourth graders are expected to learn their multiplication tables, improve their reading skills, and start making core friend groups, which can be overwhelming to juggle. They get into trouble for talking too much or for not following directions on assignments. College students also experience similar difficulties. It's the first time they are in control of their lives, and living up to parental and educational pressure while also trying to have fun, make friends, and experience life as an adult can be incredibly taxing.
Unfortunately, when students' grades begin to slip, or they maybe begin to act out in class, schools are slow to recognize this as a call for help. Instead, they label students as lazy, disruptive, or incapable and decide they cannot be helped. Thus, students are punished for not meeting expectations, even when they are denied the tools to do so. This experience can negatively impact the student's self-esteem and cause future misconduct.
Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach Metro Area Schools
Educational attorney-advisor Lento and the Lento Law Firm Education Law Team can provide advisory counsel to Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beachmetro area students attending undergraduate and graduate colleges and universities, including:
- Florida Atlantic University
- University of Miami
- Broward College
- Barry University
- Everglades University
- South Florida Bible College
- Miami International University
- Nova Southeastern University
- Miami Dade College
- Florida National University
- Palm Beach Atlantic University
- Florida Memorial University
- Florida International University
- Keiser University
- Palm Beach State
- St. Thomas University
- Lynn University
Moreover, the Lento Law Firm can also provide assistance to elementary and secondary public school students in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach metro area, including students at:
- A.D. Henderson University School & FAU High School
- The College Academy at Broward College
- McFatter Technical College High School
- Pompano Beach High School
- City of Pembroke Pines Charter Middle School
- Hollywood Academy of Arts & Science Elementary School
- Mast Academy
- Spanish River Community High School
- Coral Springs Charter School
- Henry S. West Laboratory School
- Western Academy Charter School
- Bak Middle School of the Arts
- Aventura School of Excellence
- George Washington Carver Middle School
- Herbert A. Ammons Middle School
- Dr. Michael Krop High School
- Wellington Landings Middle School
- Westglades Middle School
- Renaissance Charter School at Cooper City
Attorney Lento and the Lento Law Firm Education Law Team can also help private school students, such as students at:
- Ransom Everglades School
- American Heritage Schools
- Pine Crest School
- Miami Country Day School
- Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart
- NSU University School
- Gulliver Preparatory School
- Palmer Trinity School
- Posnack Jewish Day School
- Scheck Hillel Community School
- Saint Andrew's School
- Riviera Schools
- Belen Jesuit Preparatory School
- The Benjamin School
- Donna Klein Jewish Academy
- Sagemont Preparatory School
- North Broward Preparatory School
In addition, the Lento Law Firm Team can help students in miscellaneous programs like those at:
- Florida Career College
- Medworld School of Nursing
- Techlaunch Academy
- HCI College
- Dental Assistant Training School
- The Beauty Institute
Disciplinary Defense in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach Metropolitan Area
Navigating the school environment can be difficult for students as they learn to take responsibility for themselves. Unlike at home, where parents offer guidance on behavior, at school, this responsibility is shared between the student and teacher. Students who misbehave may face more severe consequences than they would at home. This is also true for college students who are living independently for the first time and are solely responsible for their attitude, studying, and conduct.
However, schools do acknowledge that students have the right to due process and a chance to defend themselves against misconduct. Disciplinary hearings provide an opportunity for students to present their side of the story, including evidence and witnesses to support their defense. They can cross-examine the school's witnesses and evidence to reinforce their own argument.
After this hearing, a disciplinary committee will review the information presented and determine whether the evidence presented proves that the student is responsible for the alleged misconduct and, if so, what punishment is suitable. Schools try to match the punishment with the severity of the offense, so minor offenses might warrant detention, but serious conduct code violations are generally more severe.
Academic Progression Issues
The schools in Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach metropolitan area have created specific criteria that students must fulfill to move on to the next grade, course, or graduation ceremony. If a student is unable to satisfy this criterion, they may not be able to progress, which could result in a progression or dismissal hearing.
For instance, at Florida Atlantic University, students must earn a minimum of 120 credits towards their degree, 75% of which must be taken at FAU, and maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA to qualify for graduation. And at, Dr. Michael Krop High School, to graduate, students have four options for graduation tracks, including the standard 24-credit diploma, an 18-credit Academically Challenging Curriculum to Enhance Learning option, an Advanced International Certificate of Education curriculum, or the International Baccalaureate Diploma curriculum. Whichever diploma tracks a student pursues, they must also maintain a 2.0 GPA.
Academic Misconduct Issues
Academic requirements can sometimes be overwhelming. Moreover, asking for help can feel stressful and useless for many students who are used to being labeled as “lazy.” As such, some students find it easier to resort to academic misconduct. Academic misconduct is a sort of umbrella term that encompasses several different behaviors, including cheating and plagiarism.
At Florida International University (FIU), they are committed to creating and maintaining a thriving educational environment. As such, academic misconduct is strictly prohibited. It includes:
- Using materials on an academic assignment without permission from the instructor.
- Helping another student use unauthorized materials to aid them in taking an exam, writing a paper, or some other academic assignment.
- Submitting the same academic work to multiple courses without permission.
- Deliberately presenting someone else's words or ideas as your own.
- Failing to properly cite the work of another on your exam, paper, or academic work.
If a student at FIU is accused of academic misconduct, they will be referred to the Student Conduct and Academic Integrity Office (SCAI). The SCAI Director will initiate a preliminary review and determine whether there is enough evidence to officially accuse the student of such misconduct. If they find there is, the student will be notified of a time and place for a hearing on the matter.
The Student Conduct Committee (SCC) oversees the hearing, during which time the accused student will be able to defend themselves in a similar way to what was explained above. After both sides have presented their relevant evidence and witnesses and cross-examined one another, the SCC will convene privately to determine whether the student was responsible for academic misconduct or not. For students who are found responsible, the SCC will also notify them of any sanctions they intend to impose on the student.
Behavioral Misconduct Issues
Some students may not have any academic difficulties and instead struggle with behavioral issues, like stealing from classmates or disrupting university activities.
For example, at the University of Miami, students are expected to abide by the code of conduct and refrain from:
- Possessing or buying alcohol if under the age of 21.
- Possessing or using any drug paraphernalia.
- Operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or other substances.
- Being publicly intoxicated.
- Threatening to inflict bodily harm or discomfort on another person.
- Committing battering on another person.
- Bribing a university official.
- Stealing from the university, faculty, staff, or peers.
- Misbehaving in the classroom.
- Possessing, using, or selling dangerous items, like explosives, firearms, fireworks, or other weapons.
- Lewd, indecent, or obscene conduct or expressions.
- Harassing others.
If a University of Miami student is accused of engaging in any of these behaviors, they will be referred for a disciplinary hearing. Like the other schools discussed herein, the University of Miami also expects accused students to defend themselves during these hearings by presenting relevant evidence and witnesses and cross-examining the other side.
It is crucial to reach out to an educational attorney-advisor the moment you become aware of these accusations so that they can mitigate any negative consequences you might face.
Title IX Sexual Misconduct Issues
In the United States, Title IX is a federal regulation that imposes specific procedures on schools receiving federal funding when they learn of a gender-based discrimination claim. Because this type of discrimination involves sexual misconduct, including stalking, sexual harassment, retaliation, and domestic or intimate partner violence, it is important the school conducts a non-biased and thorough investigation into the matter.
Prior to the student being officially accused, the Title IX office at the school will conduct a preliminary investigation. If they determine there is enough evidence to support the accusation, they will notify the student of the time and place for a more formal investigation and hearing. Just like the hearings surrounding academic misconduct and behavioral misconduct, Title IX violation hearings provide similar due process rights to the accused students.
When the hearing ends, the committee overseeing it will determine whether, based on the formal investigation and all of the information presented at the hearing, the student is responsible for a Title IX violation. If a student is found responsible, they will be punished accordingly. Punishments will vary depending on the school, but they usually include anything from a written reprimand to full expulsion, which is why working with an educational attorney-advisor is the best way to ensure you maintain your place on campus.
How an Education Attorney-Advisor Can Help
Academic challenges and misconduct affect all students at one point or another in their academic careers. Hiring Attorney Joseph D. Lento and the Lento Law Firm Education Law Team will ensure you receive the best possible outcome for your case. Call 888-535-3686 today or schedule a consultation online.
