Rhode Island's middle and elementary schools provide children with the education they need in their formative years to prepare for high school. During their journeys, students will overcome obstacles such as fitting into peer groups and joining extracurricular activities, but many remain unprepared to handle how school administrators will identify and adjudicate misconduct. Moreover, students may not be getting what they require under federal law, and a lack of educational accommodations can spell the end of an academic career.
When parents of Rhode Island students seek to challenge a school's policies or methods or defend their children from harsh school punishment, they have the opportunity to gain the help they need for a favorable outcome. The nationwide Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team is prepared to educate you on how Rhode Island schools approach misconduct, maintain academic standards, and provide accommodations for disabled students. Call us today at 888-535-3686 or submit your details online, and the Lento Law Firm will contact you.
Rhode Island Middle and Elementary Education Issues
Throughout Rhode Island, local school districts reserve the right to establish standards for conduct in the school environment and to carry out disciplinary actions. A school's code of conduct is typically located in the student or student-parent handbook distributed at the beginning of each school year—or when a student transfers into a school.
The code of conduct will not only describe the school's approach to classroom management but also define what is considered misconduct and how a school engages in conflict resolution, like disciplinary action. Policies and regulations also detail a student's due process rights; therefore, it is the source material for defense.
Rhode Island Middle and Elementary School Academic Misconduct Charges
Academic integrity is the foundation of both a student's education and of a middle or elementary school. Like educational institutions for older students, primary schools also have policies managing cheating and plagiarism.
For instance, Sowams Elementary School states that teachers guide younger students in becoming responsible for their own work, but they still dole out punishment if students are found to have breached the school's academic integrity policy. Consequences are based on "restorative justice," meaning that "at a minimum, students will be coached and supported in rewriting any plagiarized work or retaking an assessment after cheating has been determined."
While students may be given a "teachable moment" when committing academic misconduct, other schools will not be as forgiving. Disciplinary authorities often use an instance of cheating or plagiarism as grounds for suspension or expulsion.
Rhode Island Middle and Elementary School Behavioral Misconduct Charges
Part of maintaining academic integrity is promoting and maintaining a safe learning environment free from disruptions and revolves around shaping young students into responsible and respectful adolescents. Therefore, each school will develop guidelines on what is considered acceptable behavior and conduct in the classroom and at school-sponsored events. For instance, Wickford Middle School expects the following general attributes out of its students:
- Be punctual and have regular attendance.
- Observe basic standards of cleanliness, modesty, and good grooming.
- Know and follow school rules.
- Maintain grades commensurate with one's mental and scholastic abilities.
Since behavioral misconduct is wide-ranging, the consequences for such acts are, too. Sanctions could be as innocuous as a verbal reprimand from a teacher or as severe as expulsion from the school. Nevertheless, parents should understand the seriousness of every situation. Creating a disciplinary record is a significant moment in a child's academic career as it will continue with them through high school graduation and will cause any second instance of misconduct to be treated more harshly.
Rhode Island Middle and Elementary School Academic Progression Issues
Although Rhode Island middle and elementary school students risk discipline for violating academic integrity and behavioral rules, they also will for failing to progress through the grades at a pre-determined rate—typically referred to as promotion or graduation requirements.
For students who fall below satisfactory academic thresholds, there are often remediation options, like Barrington Middle School's “Zeros Aren't Permitted” program. Yet, academic progression isn't just measured in test scores. Schools commonly use attendance, class participation, homework submission, and other guidelines to determine whether a student can pass into the next grade or is subject to retention. However, schools sometimes fail to take into account a student's extenuating circumstances that have led to them falling behind.
Rhode Island Middle and Elementary School Disability Issues
Aside from challenges pertaining to academics and behavior in Rhode Island schools, students may need to overcome obstacles in obtaining disability accommodations. K-12 schools have an obligation from the federal government to identify student disabilities, but they are sometimes overlooked or unfairly managed.
IDEA grants students the right to an Individualized Education Program (IEP) to assist them until they graduate or age out at 21. IEPs outline curriculum or environmental variations needed for a student to learn on a level playing as their peers, which can be anything from physical aids, classroom modifications, schedule changes, interpretive services, and others. Yet, reasonable accommodations are only given to specific individuals with qualifying disabilities like the following:
- Deafness
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Deaf-blindness
- Emotional disturbances
- Development delays
- Hearing impairment
- Multiple diagnosed disabilities
- Intellectual disabilities
- Orthopedic impairments
- Speech or language impairment
- Traumatic brain injury
- Specific learning disabilities
- Visual impairments, including blindness
- Other eligible health impairments
Without legally required accommodations, your student risks not getting the assistance they need to succeed alongside their peers. But the effects aren't just academic in nature; the potential behavioral consequences can lead down a road toward discipline.
Rhode Island Student Defense Services
If your child is facing challenges like obtaining disability accommodations, trying to keep up with academic requirements, or defending against any type of misconduct, contact the Lento Law Firm Student Defense Team today. Our attorneys stand ready to defend your student's right to the education they need and deserve. The nationwide Lento Law Firm can provide valuable assistance to parents in relieving discipline by settling matters outside formal proceeds by engaging a school or district's Office of General Counsel.
The Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team is available throughout Rhode Island, from Providence to Warwick and everywhere in between. We assist parents and defend students. Reach us today by calling 888-535-3686 or going online now to schedule a consultation.
