Montana's middle and elementary schools give students the educational foundation they need to progress into high school before they seek technical programs or higher education upon graduation. While students will encounter obstacles like strict academic requirements and behavioral standards, even minor missteps can derail a young person's future. As zero-tolerance policies grow in popularity, school administrations reserve the disciplinary authority to end a student's academic career.
When parents of middle or elementary school students are faced with fighting against burdensome disciplinary action, the Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team is prepared to defend your child's education. Our nationwide team can educate you on how Montana schools approach rule violations, enforce academic requirements, and grant disability accommodations for eligible students. Call us today at 888-535-3686 or submit your details online, and the Lento Law Firm will contact you.
Montana Middle and Elementary Education Issues
The Montana Office of Public Instruction (OPI) oversees all public, private, and charter schools in the state and maintains standards of academic instruction and appropriate student behavior. Throughout the state, school districts must adhere to the best practices from OPI when establishing their rules and guidelines—typically found in their respective codes of conduct or student-parent handbooks.
While schools may adopt varying student conduct standards, they will be similar within a given school district. Many policies outlined in a school or district's code of conduct will underscore academic and behavioral standards and explain relevant administrative processes and student rights.
Montana Middle and Elementary School Academic Misconduct Charges
Academic integrity is a fundamental component of a student's education. Therefore, Montana middle and elementary schools will have guidelines that will punish unfair advantages to foster an equal academic playing field. For example, the PK-6 Anderson School maintains an academic honesty policy encompassing both cheating and plagiarism, with the following as examples:
- Cheating: Attempts to deceive or mislead a teacher or school official, aiding others in cheating, using programmable calculation systems or artificial intelligence programs not specifically authorized.
- Plagiarism: Submitting another's work or ideas as one's own, presenting materials without proper attribution, or allowing another student to copy one's work.
If students are found responsible for cheating or plagiarism, the first instance is usually treated as a failure on the assignment—with or without the option to redo. However, suspension or expulsion can be on the table depending on if it's a repeated offense or if the student has an existing disciplinary record.
Montana Middle and Elementary School Behavioral Misconduct Charges
Apart from promoting and protecting academic integrity, Montana schools must also offer students a safe learning environment free from disruption. Schools will vary in how they define acceptable behavior, but most are similar in their rules against behavioral misconduct. Although it's not an exhaustive list, Froid Elementary School regulates the following behaviors:
- Appropriate locker use
- Student assembly attendance
- Behavior during emergency drills
- Unreasonable damage to textbooks
- Possessing "pop or candy" outside lunch hours
- Walking halls during class without authorization
- Cell phone or electronic device possession
- Possession, usage, or distribution of illicit substances
- Vandalism
Violations that are not academic in nature can garner a host of sanctions. Although some can be as inconsequential as a verbal reprimand, parents must understand how serious a small situation can get. Creating a disciplinary record may cause a second violation to be handled more harshly, and sanctions will be a part of a student's record until graduation.
Montana Middle and Elementary School Academic Progression Issues
Although Montana middle and elementary school students risk discipline for violating academic integrity and behavioral rules, they will also face retribution for failing to progress through the grades at a pre-determined rate—typically called graduation requirements. Statewide regulations govern the minimum thresholds a school district must maintain and include a number of units passed and meeting all content-specific assessment requirements.
If students at De Smet Junior High School fail to meet minimum academic standards, they will first be sent an Unsatisfactory Progress Notice with parental notification. A parent-teacher conference is the first step towards remediation, but the school takes official action if progress isn't improved by the end of the semester. Sanctions can take many forms, like classroom seating requirements, after-school tutors, and strict observation, but can eventually lead to a student failing a grade or being held back.
Montana Middle and Elementary School Disability Issues
Students in Montana schools may also face obstacles with gaining disability accommodations they need. For example, schools may often overlook a student's need, thus being an origin point for academic or behavioral misconduct. To ensure all students have equal access to succeed, schools must abide by the provisions of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
Importantly, IDEA grants students the right to an Individualized Education Program (IEP) to assist them through graduation. IEPs outline curriculum or environmental variations needed for a student to learn on a level playing field like their peers, which can manifest as physical equipment or aids, classroom modifications, schedule alterations, and other services. Nevertheless, reasonable accommodations are only given to a select number of qualifying disabilities like the following:
- Specific learning or emotional disabilities
- Orthopedic or physical impairments
- Hearing, speech, vision, or language impairments
- Other function-related disabilities
However, Montana middle and elementary schools can sometimes fail to recognize the potential for disabilities. Without help, students can quickly fall behind academically and socially.
Montana Student Defense Services
If your child is facing issues relating to academic standards, behavioral issues, or a lack of disability accommodations, the Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team stands ready to defend their right to gain the education they need. The nationwide Lento Law Firm can assist parents in mitigating sanctions for their child and engage in discussions with the district's Office of General Counsel to settle issues outside formal hearings.
The Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team is available in every area of Montana. We assist parents and defend students in the metro areas of Billings, Bozeman, Missoula, Kalispell, Helena, Butte, and Great Falls and in local school districts across the state. Retain the Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team today by calling 888-535-3686 or going online now.
