Massachusetts Middle and Elementary Education Issues
As the parent of a young elementary or middle school student, you're likely very invested in your child's academic and social experience. You want the best for them, so it can be tough to digest the news that your child is facing particularly challenging circumstances. Perhaps they're falling behind in their coursework, or they're not receiving the support services they need and are entitled to, or they're accused of disruptive or problematic behavior. You may, very understandably, worry about how their situation affects them and could impact their future well-being.
Whether you've tried multiple approaches to resolve the issue and things aren't turning out as they should, or you're reacting to sudden, emergency-level circumstances, know that you don't have to navigate this situation alone. You and your child may benefit from support so that this point in time doesn't define their future. Working with a team that understands the high-stakes nature of your family's challenges—and how to address them effectively—can be a game changer.
Massachusetts Middle and Elementary School Academic Misconduct Charges
Massachusetts education law focuses primarily on discipline for violent or potentially violent behaviors, including assault and bringing a weapon to school. Most alleged academic infractions are handled by the child's school or at the district level.
For example, the Boston Public Schools Code of Discipline has traditionally deferred disciplinary concerns for academic matters—including cheating and plagiarism—to school-based rules schemes. While these rules must be “written in a simple, clear, and precise style” by each school, it is certainly possible to experience a disparate application of said rules. Also, with so much variability in how academic misconduct challenges are handled throughout the state, some kids may suffer far greater consequences than others if they're disciplined for supposed wrongdoing.
Massachusetts Middle and Elementary School Behavioral Misconduct Charges
Even young students can be accused of behavioral misconduct, although many are not emotionally developed enough yet to understand the cause-and-effect relationship between their actions and the consequences of those actions. Depending on the nature of the misconduct in question, Massachusetts education law will either defer to the school, the district, or the state's regulations in response to the situation at hand. Thankfully, Massachusetts education law broadly tries to avoid suspension and expulsion in all but the most extreme cases. This does not mean, however, that your child may be spared this harsh punishment in the event that their circumstances allegedly resulted in violence.
Massachusetts Middle and Elementary School Academic Progression Issues
The Code of Massachusetts Regulations Section 603 CMR 28.00 broadly governs the state's approach to special education. Most failure to progress concerns are meant to be addressed by the protections codified herein. Thankfully, students' rights to receive assistance are broadly protected by both state law and federal law. But, properly identifying a student as a child who needs – and is entitled to – services is too often easier said than done.
Massachusetts Middle and Elementary School Disability Issues
If your young student needs disability accommodations, both their school and their broader district are required to comply with state and federal laws that safeguard the educational rights of children with special needs. For example, the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and the Code of Massachusetts Regulations, section 603 CMR 28.00, outline specific responsibilities that educators must honor when managing an affected student's right to personalized education. All students with disabilities in the U.S. are, at a minimum, entitled to a no-cost, appropriately-individualized public education (FAPE) and the implementation of an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) to inform their experience.
Massachusetts Education Advisor Services
Children are uniquely impressionable. Therefore, how you respond to your child's education-related issues now could impact their immediate experience and the way they approach different challenges, such as education, authority, and securing the support they need, in the future. The Lento Law Firm takes the consequential reality of a child's academic struggles seriously, as we believe that all children should be treated fairly and in accordance with their rights when they're trying to benefit from an academic experience.
While no law firm nor individual attorney can guarantee that any particular case will be resolved in a certain way, we can assure you that our team will do its utmost to protect your child's rights and interests as their situation evolves. Whether the situation calls for negotiation, informal resolution approaches, or formal advocacy and appeals, we will treat your family's case—and you and your child—with consideration and respect.
Where the Lento Law Firm Can Help
If you live on the border of Massachusetts and your child attends school in Vermont, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Connecticut, or New York, we can still assist your family. The Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team maintains a nationwide practice, so we can help students wherever they happen to be. Although the education laws and regulations of each state differ, our team is prepared to negotiate and advocate in any jurisdiction in the U.S. Given that a child's challenges can potentially result in long-term consequences, the Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team wants to support children without having to turn anyone away due to geographic boundaries. Broadening our practice to allow for nationwide representation has allowed us to do just that.
Student Defense in Massachusetts School Districts
The Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team is passionate about representing the interests of young students all across Massachusetts. From Boston to Lowell, Cape Cod to Pittsfield, Worcester to Springfield, if your child is struggling due to their school's policies and practices, including disciplinary issues and access to support services, our team can negotiate and advocate on their behalf. Your child's present experience and future potential deserve the benefit of legal guidance that can better ensure their well-being and success. We can provide it.
Premier Massachusetts Education Attorney Advisors
No matter where your child is enrolled in Massachusetts, the Lento Law Firm's knowledgeable and dedicated Education Law Team can help protect your child's rights. If your middle or elementary school student has been charged with misconduct or is struggling because they can't access the services that they need and deserve, the Lento Law Firm can help. Your unique child deserves representation from a team that will do its utmost to protect their interests. Call 888.535.3686 or go online to get started. We look forward to hearing from you.
