High School Academic Misconduct Attorney Advisor - Iowa

Academic standards are crucial parts of the high school experience. They make students accountable for their behavior. It is one of the few aspects of their life that will severely affect their future endeavors. In fact, in Iowa, high school students are expected to adhere to specific standards while in school and off the property. Your child's school may accuse them of academic misconduct if they violate these standards. If proven true, these accusations can lead to anything from detention to suspension, even to expulsion. A student disciplinary advisor can help mitigate these consequences from the very start.

What is Academic Misconduct?

Academic misconduct is any conduct that violates a school, or school district's, specific guidelines. In Iowa, academic misconduct is defined as any action or attempted action that creates an unfair academic advantage for the student or the classroom community. Generally, schools categorize academic misconduct as:

• Plagiarism – taking the words or ideas of another person and presenting them as the student's own ideas or words.
• Cheating
• Submitting multiple versions of the assigned work without permission.
• Falsifying or fabricating information for assignments.
• Using materials during exams or projects that were expressly unauthorized.
• Helping another engage in academic misconduct.
• Tampering or altering grades, academic records, or a teacher's evaluation of work
• Receiving unauthorized assistance or engaging in unauthorized collaboration

High School Academic Misconduct

The School Administrators of Iowa give educators specific rights regarding alleged academic misconduct performed by a student . The particulars range from district to district, but generally, a student is disciplined if the school found they committed any of the instances of academic misconduct listed in the section above.

Dubuque

In Dubuque, for example, the school district requires the students to adhere to a student conduct code that states they will be subject to disciplinary action if they violate this code. The disciplinary action is supposed to be fair and developmentally appropriate. This punishment starts with removal from the classroom and, potentially, detention. Depending on the severity of the behavior, the discipline can escalate to suspension, probation, and, finally, expulsion. Expulsion is always the last choice.

Winnebago

Winnebago county has a specific set of character traits that it expects of its students, including academic integrity. If a student violates these rules, Winnebago county looks at it as a reflection of their community. Therefore, any student accused of academic misconduct will be subject to specific disciplinary measures, including prohibition from participating in extracurricular activities, such as athletics, removal from the classroom, detention, suspension, or expulsion. If anyone finds a student cheating, the student is subject to the teacher's stated consequences, loss of class credit, and use of the media center or computer. Winnebago defines cheating as “looking at another student's schoolwork, copying others' work, copying from other sources or similar cheating.”

The School Administrators of Iowa lays out particular due process rights for expulsion hearings that must be abided by in each district.

Notice of Hearing, Recommendation to Expel

The school must provide notice to the child's parent or guardian of the child's misconduct, and there must be a recorded history of misconduct for expulsion to even be on the table. When the school begins the expulsion process, the school must provide notice of the expulsion hearing 3-10 working days before the set date of the hearing. This notice must be sent as a written letter and must explain the allegations, the policy or rule allegedly violated, a notice of a right to counsel or representative at their own expense, the right to present witnesses, the school's expected witness list, a notice of a right to question these witnesses, and a notice of their right to a closed hearing unless they wish for it be open. Having a skilled student disciplinary attorney on your side is incredibly important, especially right from the beginning. An attorney-advisor will ensure the school is not infringing on your child's rights and that their side of the story is heard.

The Hearing Process

If your son or daughter is accused of academic misconduct and subject to expulsion hearings, the school must notify you that your child has a right to a fair and constitutional hearing without bias or prejudice.

Long-Term Consequences of Academic Misconduct

Being accused of academic misconduct is serious, and it's only made worse if the school falsely accused your child of such behavior. For a child falsely accused, the hit to their reputation can confuse and even depress them. They may begin to feel worthless or even start to believe they are capable of such behavior. Children in this situation are more likely to act in this way again – the idea being that if your teachers already think you are capable of these acts without you having performed them, why should they continue to follow the student conduct code?

If your child's school disciplines them for academic misconduct, whether they are guilty of it or not, the disciplinary action will follow them around forever. All punishments in high school become part of the child's permanent record, and expulsions are some of the first things colleges ask about on their applications. Your student may have a more challenging time getting into college, even if they change their ways after the disciplinary action. It could also affect their ability to take Advanced Placement courses, qualify for state and federal scholarships, and potentially follow them into graduate school.

How an Iowa Student Disciplinary Advisor Can Help

A student disciplinary advisor will work tirelessly to ensure your child is not subject to unwarranted disciplinary action. They will work to determine the facts of the allegations, help guide the teachers, principal, and other administrators to see your child's side of events, and, if necessary, work to alleviate any potential punishment. The allegations of academic misconduct not only affect your child while they are in high school but can have long-lasting effects that follow them well into their adult life, including their ability to get into college or graduate school.

Attorney Joseph D. Lento and the Lento Law Firm have years of experience helping high school students across America who's schools have accused them of academic misconduct. He and his team will work vigilantly to guarantee their due process rights are maintained. Don't let your child suffer by having these issues follow them to college and beyond. Call 888-535-3686 today to schedule a consultation. Attorney Joseph D. Lento can help.

Iowa high schools where Joseph D. Lento can help as your child's student's academic misconduct advisor during investigations, hearings and appeals include, but are not limited to, the following school districts:

A

• Adair-Casey School District
• Adel-DeSoto-Minburn School District
• AGWSR School District
• A-H-S-T School District
• Akron Westfield School District
• Albert City-Truesdale School District
• Albia School District
• Alburnett School District
• Alden School District
• Algona School District
• Allamakee School District
• Allison-Bristow School District
• Alta School District
• Ames Community School District
• Anamosa School District
• Andrew Community School District
• Anita School District
• Ankeny Community School District
• Anthon-Oto School District
• Aplington-Parkersburg School District
• Ar-We-Va School District
• Armstrong-Ringsted School District
• Atlantic School District
• Audubon School District
• Aurelia School District

B

• Ballard Community School District
• Battle Creek-Ida Grove School District
• Baxter School District
• BCLUW School District
• Bedford School District
• Belle Plaine School District
• Bellevue Community School District
• Belmond-Klemme School District
• Belmond-Klemme School District
• Bennett Community School District
• Benton School District
• Bettendorf Community School District
• Bondurant-Farrar School District
• Boone Community School District
• Boyden-Hull School District
• Boyer Valley School District
• Brooklyn-Guernsey-Malcom School District
• Burlington School District

C

• C and M School District
• CAL School District
• Calamus-Wheatland Community School District
• Camanche Community School District
• Cardinal School District
• Carlisle School District
• Carroll School District
• Cedar Falls Community Schools
• Cedar Rapids Community School District
• Center Point-Urbana Community School District
• Centerville School District
• Central City School District
• Central Clinton Community School District
• Central Decatur School District
• Central Lee School District
• Central Lyon School District
• Central School District
• Chariton School District
• Charles City School District
• Charter Oak-Ute School District
• Cherokee School District
• Clarinda School District
• Clarion-Goldfield School District
• Clarke Community School District
• Clarksville School District
• Clay Central-Everly School District
• Clayton Ridge School District
• Clear Creek-Amana School District
• Clear Lake School District
• Clearfield School District
• Clinton Community School District
• Colfax-Mingo School District
• College Community School District
• Collins-Maxwell School District
• Colo-Nesco School District
• Columbus School District
• Coon Rapids-Bayard School District
• Corning School District
• Corwith-Wesley School District
• Council Bluffs Community School District
• Creston Community School District

D

• Dallas Center-Grimes School District
• Danville School District
• Davenport Community Schools
• Davis County School District
• Decorah School District
• Deep River-Millersburg School District
• Delwood Community School District
• Denison School District
• Denver School District
• Des Moines Independent Public School District
• Diagonal School District
• Dike-New Hartford School District
• Dows School District
• Dubuque Community Schools
• Dunkerton Community Schools
• Durant Community School District

E

• Eagle Grove School District
• Earlham School District
• East Buchanan School District
• East Central Community School District
• East Greene School District
• East Marshall School District
• East Union School District
• Eastern Allamakee School District
• Eddyville-Blakesburg School District
• Edgewood-Colesburg School District
• Eldora-New Providence School District
• Elk Horn-Kimballton School District
• Emmetsburg School District
• English Valleys School District
• Essex School District
• Estherville Lincoln School District
• Exira School District

F

• Fairfield Community School District
• Farragut School District
• Forest City School District
• Fort Dodge School District
• Fort Madison School District
• Fredericksburg School District
• Fremont-Mills School District

G

• Galva-Holstein School District
• Garner-Hayfield School District
• George-Little Rock School District
• Gilbert School District
• Gilmore City-Bradgate School District
• Gladbrook-Reinbeck School District
• Glenwood School District
• Glidden-Ralston School District
• GMG School District
• Graettinger School District
• Greene School District
• Grinnell-Newburg School District
• Griswold School District
• Grundy Center School District
• Guthrie Center School District

H

• Hamburg School District
• Hampton-Dumont School District
• Harlan School District
• Harmony School District
• Harris-Lake Park School District
• Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn School District
• Highland School District
• Hinton School District
• H-L-V School District
• Holy Family Catholic Schools
• Howard-Winneshiek School District
• Hubbard-Radcliffe School District
• Hudson School District
• Humboldt School District

I

• IKM School District
• Independence School District
• Indianola School District
• Interstate 35 School District
• Iowa City Community School District
• Iowa Falls School District
• Iowa Valley School District

J

• Janesville Consolidated School District
• Jefferson-Scranton School District
• Jesup School District
• Johnston School District

K

• Keokuk School District
• Keota School District
• Kingsley-Pierson School District
• Knoxville School District

L

• Lake Mills School District
• Lamoni School District
• Laurens-Marathon School District
• Lawton-Bronson School District
• Le Mars School District
• Lenox School District
• Lewis Central School District
• Lineville-Clio School District
• Linn-Mar Community School District
• Lisbon Community School District
• Logan-Magnolia School District
• Lone Tree School District
• Louisa-Muscatine School District
• LuVerne School District
• Lynnville-Sully School District

M

• Madrid Community School District
• Malvern School District
• Manning School District
• Manson Northwest Webster School District
• Maple Valley School District
• Maquoketa Community School District
• Maquoketa Valley School District
• Marcus-Meriden-Cleghorn School District
• Marion Independent School District
• Marshalltown School District
• Martensdale-St Marys School District
• Mason City Community School District
• Mediapolis School District
• Melcher-Dallas School District
• Meservey-Thornton School District
• Mid-Prairie School District
• Midland School District
• Missouri Valley Community School District
• Montezuma School District
• Monticello School District
• Moravia School District
• Mormon Trail School District
• Morning Sun School District
• Moulton-Udell School District
• Mount Ayr School District
• Mount Pleasant School District
• Mount Vernon Community School District
• Murray School District
• Muscatine Community School District

N

• Nashua-Plainfield School District
• Nevada School District
• New Hampton School District
• New London School District
• New Market School District
• Newell-Fonda School District
• Newton School District
• Nishna Valley School District
• Nodaway Valley Community School District
• Nora Springs-Rock Falls Community School District
• North Cedar Community School District
• North Central School District
• North Fayette Community School District
• North Iowa School District
• North Kossuth School District
• North Linn Community School District
• North Mahaska School District
• North Polk Community School District
• North Scott Community School District
• North Tama County School District
• North Winneshiek School District
• Northeast Community School District
• Northeast Hamilton School District
• Northwood-Kensett School District
• Norwalk School District

O

• Odebolt-Arthur School District
• Oelwein Community School District
• Ogden Community School District
• Okoboji School District
• Olin Consolidated School District
• Orient-Macksburg School District
• Osage School District
• Oskaloosa School District
• Ottumwa School District

P

• Panorama School District
• Paton-Churdan School District
• PCM School District
• Pekin School District
• Pella Christian Schools
• Pella School District
• Perry School District
• Pleasant Valley Community School District
• Pleasantville School District
• Pocahontas Area School District
• Pomeroy-Palmer School District
• Postville School District
• Prairie Valley Community School District
• Prescott School District
• Preston Community School District

R

• Red Oak School District
• Remsen-Union School District
• Riceville School District
• River Valley School District
• Riverside School District
• Rock Valley School District
• Rockwell City-Lytton School District
• Rockwell-Swaledale School District
• Roland-Story School District
• Rudd-Rockford-Marble Rock Community School District
• Russell School District
• Ruthven-Ayrshire School District

S

• Sac School District
• Saydel School District
• Schaller-Crestland School District
• Schleswig School District
• Sentral School District
• Sergeant Bluff-Luton School District
• Seymour School District
• Sheffield-Chapin School District
• Sheldon School District
• Shenandoah School District
• Sibley-Ocheyedan School District
• Sidney School District
• Sigourney School District
• Sioux Center School District
• Sioux Central School District
• Sioux City Community Schools
• Solon School District
• South Clay School District
• South Hamilton School District
• South O'Brien School District
• South Page School District
• South Tama County School District
• South Winneshiek School District
• Southeast Polk Community School District
• Southeast Warren School District
• Southeast Webster Grand School District
• Southern Cal School District
• Spencer School District
• Spirit Lake School District
• Springville School District
• Stanton School District
• Starmont School District
• Storm Lake School District
• Stratford Community School District
• Sumner School District

T

• Terril School District
• Tipton Community School District
• Titonka Consolidated School District
• Treynor School District
• Tri-Center School District
• Tri-County School District
• Tripoli School District
• Turkey Valley School District
• Twin Cedars School District
• Twin Rivers School District

U

• Underwood School District
• Union Community School District
• United Community School District
• Urbandale School District

V

• Valley Community School District
• Van Buren School District
• Van Meter School District
• Ventura School District
• Villisca School District
• Vinton-Shellsburg School District

W

• Waco School District
• Wall Lake View Auburn School District
• Walnut School District
• Wapello School District
• Wapsie Valley School District
• Washington School District
• Waterloo Community Schools
• Waukee School District
• Waverly-Shell Rock School District
• Wayne Community School District
• Webster City School District
• West Bend-Mallard School District
• West Branch Community School District
• West Burlington Independent School District
• West Central Community School District
• West Central Valley School District
• West Delaware County School District
• West Des Moines Community Schools
• West Hancock School District
• West Harrison School District
• West Liberty Community School District
• West Lyon School District
• West Marshall School District
• West Monona School District
• West Sioux School District
• Western Dubuque Community School District
• Westwood School District
• Whiting School District
• Williamsburg School District
• Wilton Community School District
• Winfield-Mt Union School District
• Winterset School District
• Woden-Crystal Lake School District
• Woodbine School District
• Woodbury Central School District
• Woodward-Granger School District

It is critical to make certain academic misconduct charges at your child's Iowa high school are handled properly and that the accused student's interests and rights are protected from as early as possible during the investigative and disciplinary process.  One reason, among many, is because even at high schools where a finding of responsibility for academic misconduct is made at a hearing, the investigation will set the stage for what the hearing panel is provided prior to a hearing (and what the hearing panel will in large part rely on at a hearing), and at high schools where the finding of responsibility is made solely through the investigative process, what takes place during the investigation itself will determine whether the accused student is found responsible or not responsible for academic misconduct.

Unfortunately, some parents make the mistake of not taking the necessary precautions as soon as possible when their child is accused of academic misconduct.  Some people will mistakenly believe that if they "just explain what happened," their school will be fair and impartial and will arrive at the truth.  In a perfect world this may be the case, but in a perfect world, being called to answer for alleged academic misconduct would not exist.

Fighting passionately for the future of his clients at schools throughout the nation for many years, Joseph D. Lento knows how important it is to mount the strongest defense because he understands that an accused high school student's academic future is on the line. He does not settle for the easiest outcome, and instead prioritizes his clients' needs and well-being. Joseph Lento is a licensed attorney in New Jersey and New York, is admitted as an attorney pro hac vice in state and federal court if needed when representing clients nationwide, and serves as an academic misconduct advisor to high school students facing investigations and disciplinary cases in Iowa and throughout the nation. Make certain your or your student's interests are protected - Contact National High School Academic Misconduct Defense Attorney Joseph D. Lento today at 888-535-3686.