North Carolina Middle and Elementary Education Issues
All parents want the best for their children, which is why it can be incredibly overwhelming if their child is accused of violating the school's code of conduct and facing disciplinary proceedings. These types of allegations - and punishments - can have serious consequences for your child's future, including preventing them from participating in after-school activities, joining clubs, or playing sports.
Moreover, recovering from these issues can be really hard, especially in elementary and middle school when peer and teacher opinion is incredibly important to students. The only way to ensure your child is not being unnecessarily punished and facing superfluous and damaging consequences is to work with an attorney-advisor. Call Lento Law Firm today.
North Carolina Middle and Elementary School Academic Misconduct Charges
Students are given handbooks at the beginning of each year that specify the academic and behavioral rules and regulations the school expects them to abide by. When a student violates one of these rules and regulations, they will be punished according to the procedures listed in the handbook.
One such stipulation that most schools have is the requirement that students uphold academic integrity. Academic integrity is usually defined as maintaining honesty, trust, fairness, and respect in their academic pursuits. To do so, students must refrain from anything that might constitute cheating.
For example, at Brown Summit Middle School, students are expected to abide by high standards of academic honesty and refrain from:
- Using materials, whether they are notes, books, or technological devices, during an exam or assignment without permission.
- Plagiarizing a paper, exam, or assignment.
- Looking at someone else's paper, exam, or assignment to help inform their answers.
- Copying someone else's work.
Students who are accused of violating academic integrity will be punished. Hiring an attorney-advisor when you learn of these accusations will ensure the school upholds your child's due process rights, allowing them to defend themselves appropriately.
North Carolina Middle and Elementary School Behavioral Misconduct Charges
North Carolina students are also expected to follow certain behavioral standards while on campus or at school-sponsored events. If they are caught disobeying these rules, they will be disciplined by the school.
For instance, students at Metrolina Regional Scholars Academy are tasked with supporting a positive educational environment. As such, students will be punished for the following behaviors:
- Willful defiance of authority
- Consistently coming to class unprepared
- Borrowing without permission
- Littering
- Abusing academic materials
- Disrupting the classroom or lunchroom
- Using technology without permission
- Speaking disrespectfully to a staff member or teacher
- Using sexually suggestive language or gestures
- Possessing cigarette lighters or matches
- Gambling
- Using abusive or obscene language or gestures
- Possessing a real or toy weapon
- Destroying school or personal property
- Bullying or harassment
- Fighting
- Arson
- Chronic misconduct
North Carolina Middle and Elementary School Academic Progression Issues
The impact of being held back in middle and elementary school is incredibly jarring for students and their parents. In fact, it can greatly affect how they see themselves and how they interact with their peers or teachers going forward. This is especially true when academic progression issues are the result of tardiness, truancy, or frequent absences and have nothing to do with their academic abilities.
If your child is experiencing difficulties in school, and you believe the school might hold your child back, it is important you reach out to an attorney-advisor immediately. The Lento Law Firm Education Law Team will contact the school on your behalf and attempt to negotiate for an alternative outcome.
North Carolina Middle and Elementary School Disability Issues
Like most states in the country, North Carolina is required to follow the
federal regulation, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Under this regulation, all students with disabilities are supposed to receive a free appropriate public education (FAPE). To make sure they are complying with this regulation, North Carolina requires that their school districts evaluate students for disabilities and provide opportunities for both Individualized Education Plan (IEP) evaluations and IEP revision meetings for qualifying students.
If you would like your child to be evaluated for an IEP, you will need to reach out to the school and request one. Sometimes, though, teachers will request an IEP evaluation before the parent. Either way, the school is supposed to comply with this request in a timely manner. During the IEP evaluation, the teacher, parent, student, and an individual who is qualified to conduct an IEP evaluation, will meet to assess the situation. After the evaluation, if the child qualifies for the IEP, there will be a second meeting to write up the IEP document, which will include all of the services and accommodations your child will receive from the school. It's important to remember that IEPs are legally binding documents, so if the school fails to implement the services or accommodations within the document, they could be punished or fined.
Where the Lento Law Firm Can Help
Lento Law Firm has clients all over the country, including North Carolina. They can help represent students in the following areas:
- Western North Carolina
- Central North Carolina
- Northern North Carolina
- Eastern North Carolina
- Coastal North Carolina
Premier North Carolina Education Attorney
All children make mistakes, but they should not spend the rest of their lives making up for such mistakes. If your child is being accused of an academic or behavioral issue, they could be suspended or expelled. While these punishments may not be noted on their final transcripts like they are in high school and college, they will affect how their teachers and fellow students see them.
The Education Law Team at Lento Law Firm is exceptionally skilled at supporting middle and elementary school students who are facing such allegations. As such, they can assist you in understanding the allegations your child is facing and guide you through the disciplinary process, ensuring the best possible outcome for your child. Call 888.535.3686 or schedule your consultation online.
