North Dakota's middle and elementary schools provide students with a space geared toward academic and social growth before secondary school. Students will face challenges inside and outside the classroom, from completing individual projects and final exams to joining extracurricular activities and social groups. However, school administrations may often pose a threat to a student's future.
Allegations of misconduct, strict academic requirements, and a lack of support services can leave a middle or elementary school student fighting against the tide. When issues arise, the Lento Law Firm's Student Defense is prepared to defend your child's right to an education. Our nationwide team can also educate you on how North Dakota schools manage misconduct, impose academic requirements, and grant legally required accommodations. Call us today at 888-535-3686 or submit your details online, and the Lento Law Firm will contact you.
North Dakota Middle and Elementary Education Issues
Throughout North Dakota, each school district has the authority to build a code of conduct to maintain a cohesive and integrity-driven learning environment and manage behavior at school-sponsored events. The guidelines therein can vary by district, but no rule may abridge any state or federal laws, and it must conform to the vision of the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction (NDDPI). For example, the Wahpeton School District explains that students are "expected to conduct themselves in a manner fitting their age level and maturity…that will not impede on the orderly conduct of district schools, and will be expected to respect the rights of others on district property…at school-sponsored events and off-campus."
While schools may adopt varying student conduct standards, all elementary schools within a district must follow the same form of disciplinary policies, procedures, and guidelines. Likewise, all middle schools must have identical content. Many of the 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. Schools will typically divide misconduct into two sections: academic and behavioral.
North Dakota Middle and Elementary School Academic Misconduct Charges
One of the most significant parts of academics is a school's duty to uphold an equal playing field for students. Therefore, North Dakota middle and elementary schools will have guidelines that will punish unfair advantages. For example, Discovery Middle School has a strict policy against academic integrity policy that encompasses both cheating and plagiarism, with the following as examples:
- Claiming another person's "ideas, language, or thoughts" are one's own.
- Failure to use proper citations when "incorporating another person's intellectual property."
- Other activities "considered cheating or dishonest, academically."
If students are found responsible for cheating or plagiarism, suspension or expulsion is typically on the table. North Dakota schools do not handle breaches of academic integrity lightly.
North Dakota Middle and Elementary School Behavioral Misconduct Charges
Apart from promoting and protecting academic integrity, North Dakota schools must also offer students a safe learning environment without disruption. Schools will vary in how they define acceptable behavior, but most are similar in their rules against behavioral or non-academic misconduct. Although it's not an exhaustive list, Longfellow Elementary School regulates the following in school and at all school-sponsored events.
- Personal medication
- Scented body sprays or lotions
- Birthday invitations to classmates
- Computer and Internet usage
- Play equipment (scooters, bicycles, baseballs, etc.)
- Attendance
- Cell phone usage
- Bullying and harassment
- Physical or verbal abuse
As schools nationwide move toward harsher policies regulating student behavior, parents need to understand how serious a small situation can get. Moreover, disciplinary action in any grade will follow the student until graduation.
North Dakota Middle and Elementary School Academic Progression Issues
Although middle and elementary school students risk discipline for breaching academic integrity and behavioral guidelines, they will also face sanctions for failing to progress academically at a pre-determined rate. General requirements for progression through the grades in North Dakota schools can include days of school attended, the number of credit hours earned in a semester, standardized tests, and class assignments.
Northern Cass Middle School, which refers to standards as graduation requirements, has a minimum number of credit hours to be earned each year before action is taken. While suspension or expulsion isn't used to manage academic progression, there are often sanctions in the form of mandated remediation. This can take many forms, like required study hours, after-school tutors, and different class seating assignments. Yet, schools can place excessive pressure on struggling students, forcing them to repeat the grade.
North Dakota Middle and Elementary School Disability Issues
Students in North Dakota schools may also face obstacles with gaining disability accommodations they need. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) grants students the right to an Individualized Education Program. IEPs outline curriculum or environmental variations needed for a student to have equal access to a free, appropriate education. Reasonable accommodations are only given to a select number of qualifying disabilities under IDEA like the following:
- Emotional disabilities
- Learning disabilities
- Orthopedic or physical impairments
- Speech, language, hearing, or visual impairments
- Other function-related disabilities
Reasonable accommodations may include schedule modifications, physical equipment, classroom alterations, therapy, and other aids and services. However, North Dakota middle and elementary schools can sometimes fail to recognize the potential for disabilities, leaving students without the help they need. Unfortunately, such a situation can quickly derail academic performance or cause behavioral issues that can lead to discipline.
North Dakota Student Defense Services
If your child is facing any of the above circumstances in their school, the Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team stands ready to defend their right to continue uninhibited with their education. The nationwide Lento Law Firm can engage in discussions with school administrators and a district's Office of General Counsel to settle issues before formal hearings.
Don't let your child suffer through the potential of suspension or expulsion—the Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team is available in every area of North Dakota. We assist parents and defend students in the metro areas of Fargo, Bismarck, Grand Forks, and Minot and in local school districts across the state. Retain the Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team to help your middle or elementary school students with their legally required accommodations, academic progression requirements, or disciplinary challenges. Call 888-535-3686 or go online now.
