School districts throughout Oklahoma take student discipline seriously. Whether your student is enrolled in a school in Tulsa, Oklahoma City, Broken Arrow, Norman, or elsewhere, they'll have to follow the school's rules—on and off campus.
It doesn't seem fair that kids get punished at school for things they do outside of school, but the reality is that school administrators often penalize students for off-campus actions. When the disciplinary standards are opened up to interactions off-campus, it significantly increases the number and type of incidents that could land students in trouble. Maybe your child made a controversial social media post, or another parent accused your kid of starting a fight at a weekend birthday party. Whatever the allegation, your child's school officials may investigate the incident and issue punishments like suspension, detention, or even an academic penalty.
Since this type of discipline isn't usually explicitly stated in school handbooks, it can come swiftly and catch parents completely off-guard. The school has a tremendous amount of authority in this respect, and it can leave you, as a parent, with more questions than answers. You are likely unaware of how to protect your child's rights in this situation or ensure the school deliberates fairly.
The Student Defense Team at the Lento Law Firm can help you. Even disciplinary actions that seem minor at the time can have long-lasting, life-altering effects. Call our team at 888-535-3686 or contact us through our online form, and we can discuss your child's case. We'll help guide you and your family to a favorable outcome.
What You Need to Know About Off-Campus Misconduct in Oklahoma Schools
“Off-campus misconduct” is a wide-ranging term that can include several types of misbehavior. It's not always clear what kinds of actions can land students in trouble. Indeed, many parents and students aren't aware that an incident worthy of a penalty occurred until after the fact. In addition, different schools have different policies concerning off-campus behavior.
Some of the most common categories of behavior that can be considered “off-campus misconduct” are:
- Misconduct unrelated to school: A common example of misconduct unrelated to school could be auto theft or shoplifting, damaging off-campus property, spraying graffiti on buildings, or other minor criminal offenses.
In the Broken Arrow Public School District, for example, high school students are expected to always use good judgment in “all their electronic or digital communications—whether such activities occur on or off campus.” It doesn't matter if students are using their personal or school-issued devices, either. If they don't follow the student handbook's rules concerning safe and appropriate use of digital communication, they can face consequences at school.
- Misconduct tangentially related to school: Tangentially related school misconduct usually includes things like derogatory or racially insensitive posts on social media or incidents outside of school. This kind of behavior might not directly violate the school's written rules, but it could go against the school's values.
For example,Tulsa Public Schools has a strict policy against bullying in all forms, including bullying through social media. The district can take disciplinary action against a student's online or social media bullying if it occurs outside the regular school day “if it causes a substantial and material disruption at school.”
- Misconduct directly related to school: Misconduct that occurs off-campus can still directly involve the school. A good example is when two or more students are involved in a physical altercation or one student threatens another off-campus. If the students attend the same school, it can make the atmosphere at school more hostile for them and other students.
In Oklahoma City Public Schools, threatening behavior against a student is a Level 3 or Level 4 infraction, which can result in an out-of-school suspension of up to five days. Threatening behavior against the school or a staff member can result in 11 or more days of out-of-school suspension. The handbook also clearly states that students can be punished for off-campus conduct if the student's continued attendance would have an “adverse impact on order, discipline, or the education process.”
In any of the scenarios described above, school officials may feel that it's their responsibility to penalize a student or offer disciplinary recommendations. As a parent, it could seem like the school is overstepping its authority in situations like these. The processes schools use to deal with off-campus behavior may not contain due process, either.
The Process for Off-Campus Misconduct Violations in Oklahoma
Schools across Oklahoma don't all respond to off-campus misconduct the same way. If your student is facing sanctions for after-school behavior, expect it to be tailored to their situation rather than following a specific rule.
While it can be difficult to predict what might happen to students who get in trouble outside of school, we have a few examples to help you understand the adjudication process better.
- Incidents unrelated to school: Your child's school might take an educational stance on the incident and try to offer your child counseling, training, workshops, or one-on-one dialogues with appropriate staff members. This approach is most often used when the incident is completely unrelated to school. The school might try to speak with your student first to understand why they behaved this way and explain why shoplifting from a local store or going to an unsupervised, late-night party are bad decisions. This approach aims to help kids see how their choices can impact their futures.
- Incidents tangentially related to school: If your student's alleged misconduct is somewhat related to school, administrators might take a more assertive stance. For example, if your student shares derogatory content on social media, the school might recommend detention or even suspension. Social media has a broad presence at school, and what one student posts could have an impact on other students.
- Incidents directly related to school: This type of misconduct might involve other members of the academic community directly, even if it's still off-campus. An example is one student threatening another or taking part in a physical altercation with another student. This kind of behavior could lead to the most severe penalties, such as long-term suspension or expulsion.
The ramifications of your child's actions outside of school should be taken seriously, no matter what the school's response is. Whatever penalties the school imposes can reach far beyond your child's K-12 experience. The civil and criminal legal system has checks and balances that keep things fair, but school procedures aren't bound by the same laws. Disciplinary procedures at middle and high schools can happen quickly, meaning they don't include a thorough investigation. Your child may not even have the chance to defend themselves.
If your student was involved in an after-school incident and you suspect the school is going to take disciplinary action, you should find a competent Student Defense Legal Team quickly. The Lento Law Firm can help.
The Effects of School Discipline in Oklahoma
When a student gets disciplined at school, it's usually a much bigger deal than it seems. The effects of that discipline keep affecting the child even after the discipline is over. You can't undo what's been done, and it's nearly impossible for a child to return to school just as if everything was normal. The long-term consequences of school discipline are very real, and, in some cases, they can be disastrous.
Immediate Effects of School Discipline
If school officials believe that anyone on campus is in danger, they may act quickly. The effect of their disciplinary action could take place within the same day. Your child might get what's often referred to as an “emergency” suspension or removal from school in this kind of situation. Schools that have a zero-tolerance policy for bullying, drugs, alcohol, or other misconduct may also administer discipline swiftly—often before your child has a chance to defend themselves.
Short-Term Effects of School Discipline
The short-term impacts happen in the weeks or months after the discipline takes place. If your student gets suspended, for example, one of the short-term effects is missing assignments and falling behind. Another is not attending extracurricular events and activities, like sports teams and clubs. Students get cut off from their classmates and peers when they get sent home for disciplinary reasons. A suspension can impact their academic progress, of course, but it can also damage their social and emotional development.
Long-Term Consequences of School Discipline
After a student receives disciplinary action in school, it can have far-reaching consequences that stretch well beyond the end of the academic year. Your child may have trouble getting into their preferred colleges, as most universities look at prior records of behavior when considering applications. A behavioral note or gap on your student's transcript may not prevent them from getting admitted to the college of their dreams, but it might shut down any scholarship possibilities. K-12 discipline isn't a simple matter of a child misbehaving. It has real effects on children that shape their futures.
If you don't want your child to endure any of these consequences, whether immediate or long-term, you have to take action when they are being disciplined by the school. Our team of experienced Student Defense attorneys can help you and your child stand up for your rights. We'll help you negotiate with school officials, attend meetings with you, and help you craft an appeal.
We Can Guide Your Family Through Disciplinary Proceedings in Oklahoma
When your child is dealing with a disciplinary matter at school, you want to help and guide them as much as possible. You may not know the best way to do that, though, if you're unfamiliar with school discipline proceedings.
At the Lento Law Firm, we don't want you or your child to feel overwhelmed if your child gets in trouble. We can help guide your family through the process and ensure you have the resources you need to defend the accusations against your child.
Understanding Your School's Rules
One of the biggest things we can help with is breaking down and clarifying the school's rules for you. K-12 schools across Oklahoma all have different policies concerning student behavior. You may not have spent much time reading the school's handbook, and you probably don't know much about local education laws. Our attorneys will help you find the information you need in the school's handbook, as well as find the relevant statutes to help with your case.
Staying Informed
Throughout the process, our team will work to ensure you're informed of what's happening. We'll also conduct our own investigation of the case, which includes gathering documentation and speaking with potential witnesses. We'll help you and your student prepare for each meeting you have with administrators and provide you with the proof you need to back up your arguments.
When you work with the Student Defense Team at the Lento Law Firm, we can:
- Investigate your student's alleged off-campus violation
- Establish direct lines of communication with school administrators to facilitate negotiations
- Help you create and submit an appeal
- Support you and your student as you pursue your best chance for success
- Counsel you and your child and represent you with school officials
The Lento Law Firm Is Ready to Help
Schools have a great deal of authority when it comes to discipline, making their systems difficult for parents and students to navigate. When a school wants to sanction a student for an off-campus incident outside their purview, it can get even more complicated. If you feel your student is being punished unjustly or the school isn't upholding their rights, you should call the Student Defense Team at the Lento Law Firm.
Whether you're dealing with an off-campus incident in the Tulsa school district or a small town, you need to be prepared for the school's disciplinary process. Underestimating the school's authority or ignoring the allegations can cost you and your child a lot.
Our Student Defense Team can assist you and your child as you deal with this off-campus misconduct issue. We'll be with you every step of the way as you fight to protect your child's education and future. We can ensure that you're informed and help you be proactive when protecting your family's rights. Our team has the experience you need to keep your child's future on track. Call us today at 888-535-3686 or fill out our online form to tell us more about your case.
