K-12 schools across Louisiana implement various disciplinary approaches, and the guidelines for student behavior often differ between districts. However, a common practice among many of these schools is to penalize students for misconduct that occurs off-campus.
You might assume that students wouldn't face school discipline for incidents that happen outside school and are unrelated to it, but this is not always the case. Frequently, students are disciplined by their school administrators for alleged misbehavior that occurs off school grounds. These incidents can range from a student posting controversial content on TikTok to accusations of your child instigating a fight at a birthday party. Regardless of the truth of these incidents, schools often take action once they become aware of them.
Punishments for off-campus behavior can vary in severity, from a formal warning to more extreme measures like suspension or expulsion. Often, such penalties are imposed unexpectedly, catching parents and students off guard and leaving them with limited means to contest the accusations. As a parent, you naturally want what's best for your child, including ensuring they receive a fair investigation from their school.
The Student Defense Team at the Lento Law Firm is ready to assist in safeguarding your child's rights in cases of off-campus misconduct allegations. We aim to guide your family to a positive resolution. Contact us at 888-535-3686 or submit our online form, and a team member will contact you to discuss your situation.
Types of Off-Campus Misconduct in Louisiana Schools
Given that "off-campus misconduct" encompasses a wide range of actions, pinpointing the specific behaviors that could lead to school discipline for your child is challenging. However, these incidents generally fall into three primary categories.
- Misconduct Unrelated to School Misconduct that happens away from school and is completely unrelated might be shoplifting, going to a late-night party with alcohol, tagging buildings with graffiti, or other similar offenses. When schools get wind of these incidents, they often think it's the administration's job to step in and handle discipline, even if the student has already gotten in trouble with law enforcement outside of school. The Jefferson Parish Schools student and parent handbook lists actions that are considered behavioral infractions and may result in disciplinary action for students. Several violations, such as vandalism, arson, and trespassing, are punishable even if they don't occur on school grounds.
- Misconduct Somewhat Related to School Some off-campus behaviors might be indirectly or tangentially related to school. One good example is posting a derogatory comment on social media that mocks a marginalized community. A student might get in trouble for this kind of offense at school, even if they didn't use the school internet or school devices to publish the comment. The school might argue that posts appearing on social media are read by the majority of the school's students and, therefore, impact the overall atmosphere at the school. A group of marginalized students at school who are the target of such a post might feel unsafe or threatened, according to the school administration. The New Orleans Public Schools Student Discipline guidelines explain what constitutes expellable offenses. It states that students cannot be expelled for off-campus incidents, but only if they occur away from school events, property, and activities and away from the internet. That means online incidents of harassment or bullying could be severe enough to warrant expulsion at some New Orleans public schools.
- Misconduct Directly Related to School Off-campus conduct that is directly related to school usually involves two or more students from school. It could be one student threatening or bullying another (in person or online). It could be a student anonymously threatening or harassing a teacher. It could also be two or more students getting involved in a physical altercation outside of school. While these events don't take place at school or school-sponsored activities, they implicate members of the school community directly, which makes them eligible for discipline in the eyes of school administrators.
The East Baton Rouge school district prohibits students from taking retaliatory action against school employees, even off-campus. For example, threatening to harm a teacher because they punished a student for classroom disruption could be considered retaliation, and the school would be justified in taking action. The retaliatory act doesn't have to take place on school property in order for it to be considered misconduct.
In these scenarios, you can see how schools justify their authority to manage these incidents, or the logic they apply to legitimize their actions. As a parent, you might view the school's response as overreaching or not fitting the situation. Regrettably, in matters of off-campus misconduct, parents and students typically lack influence over the disciplinary process. Additionally, the repercussions of any disciplinary actions imposed on K-12 students can have substantial effects on their future prospects.
How Louisiana Schools Handle Accusations of Off-Campus Misconduct
The way off-campus misconduct is handled varies across Louisiana's school districts, making it essential to become familiar with the student discipline policies of your child's school and the school board.
Here are some examples of how a K-12 school in Louisiana may address allegations of off-campus misconduct:
Misconduct Unrelated to School
When your child's alleged misconduct has no connection to the school, the response might involve training or counseling. This approach focuses on educating the student about the inappropriateness of their actions and ways to improve behavior. Some schools may also employ restorative justice methods, aiming to help students fully understand the consequences of their actions and their potential long-term negative impacts.
Misconduct Somewhat Related to School
In cases where the behavior is somewhat linked to school, responses can range from counseling to more severe actions like suspension. For example, if a student is accused of posting inappropriate comments on social media, the school might choose suspension to convey that such discourse is unacceptable and can influence the school environment negatively.
Misconduct Directly Related to School
For off-campus misconduct that directly involves school matters, schools often respond more stringently. An example would be if a student is accused of fighting with another student outside of school. The school administration's response will most likely be swift and severe; your child could be immediately suspended or even expelled.
How School Punishments Affect K-12 Students Long-Term
The repercussions of school punishments on K-12 students are significant and lasting, extending beyond the duration of the penalty and influencing various aspects of your child's educational journey. These consequences, ranging from immediate to long-term, can be challenging to navigate and may hinder future opportunities for your child.
Immediate Consequences
Initially, the process happens quickly. The school becomes aware of the alleged misconduct, ideally conducts an investigation, and then imposes a penalty. In severe cases of off-campus misconduct, this sequence of events can unfold alarmingly fast, sometimes even within the same day. In instances where schools enforce zero-tolerance policies for issues like bullying or harassment, the punishment may take effect promptly, often leaving the accused student little time to mount a defense.
Short-Term Impacts
The short-term effects of school discipline become evident in the weeks and months following the penalty. A common consequence is academic setbacks. A brief suspension can lead to your child missing important classes and assignments, resulting in difficulties catching up with their peers. Additionally, if the punishment restricts participation in extracurricular activities, it can limit social interactions and impede social and emotional development.
Long-Term Implications
The long-term implications of school discipline can extend well past the academic year. Serious violations often get recorded on a student's academic file. This record could adversely affect college admissions, as prior disciplinary actions might cause admissions officers to reconsider your child's application. It could also impact their eligibility for essential scholarships needed for college funding.
To prevent these repercussions, you and your child need to act quickly. Contacting our Student Defense Team promptly can help you develop a defense and initiate communication with the school regarding the allegations. At the Lento Law Firm, our focus is on safeguarding your child's future and shielding them from the adverse consequences of school discipline.
How Our Student Defense Team Can Help
Navigating a school disciplinary proceeding involving your child can be daunting. You might not fully grasp the process or the best ways to interact with school administrators on challenging disciplinary issues. Given the high stakes, it's crucial for both you and your child to avoid any missteps. This is where the Student Defense Team at the Lento Law Firm can be of service.
Understanding the Guidelines
To effectively respond, it's important to first determine if the school has a valid basis for disciplining your child. Reviewing the student handbook or district policies on school discipline will help verify if the school's actions align with established policies and clarify the exact nature of the allegations against your child. If you're not well-versed in these documents, our team can analyze them, highlighting the sections pertinent to your child's situation, ensuring you comprehend the rules, and holding the school accountable.
Maintaining Awareness
While the school might investigate your child's alleged off-campus misconduct, relying solely on their investigation isn't advisable. The Student Defense Team at the Lento Law Firm will conduct an independent inquiry. We believe that personally collecting evidence and interviewing witnesses is more reliable than accepting the school's report. We'll keep you updated on our findings and guide you in utilizing this information to support your child's defense.
Additionally, our team can assist with:
- Evaluating your child's case to identify the most favorable potential outcome
- Compiling evidence pertaining to the alleged off-campus misbehavior
- Direct communication with school administrators to negotiate and seek a more advantageous informal resolution
- Assisting in drafting and submitting appeals to the district, if necessary
- Providing continuous advice and counsel throughout the process and being available to address any questions you might have
We're ready to support you and your student as you deal with the school. We'll be available to answer all of your questions, help you anticipate the school's next steps, and provide guidance on how to handle the situation. Our Student Defense Team will ensure your child gets a fair disciplinary proceeding from the school, including an unbiased investigation and a chance for your child to defend themselves.
Our Student Defense Team Can Help Your Family
Navigating the realm of school discipline can be daunting, especially when it involves off-campus misconduct. As a parent, it might be confusing to see the school take disciplinary action for incidents that occur outside its premises. It's essential to be prepared and understand what might happen if your child is accused of inappropriate off-campus activities.
The Lento Law Firm recognizes the complexities and stress involved in addressing serious disciplinary matters at the K-12 level. Our mission is to support your family in advocating for your child's rights and ensuring they are treated fairly. The prospect of school discipline significantly affecting your child's future is a serious concern, and our team of Student Defense attorneys is here to assist.
We help families across the nation and in Louisiana, guiding parents through the disciplinary process and interacting with K-12 schools regarding their children's discipline. Our team is ready to offer the same support to your family. If you suspect that your child may be involved in an off-campus incident that could lead to disciplinary action, don't hesitate to contact the Lento Law Firm. Our goal is to safeguard your child's future. Reach out to us at 888-535-3686 or complete our contact form, and we'll get in touch to discuss your case.
