Tennessee Middle and Elementary Education Issues
Part of the journey children follow into adolescence involves garnering more responsibility and learning from mistakes. Parents under that a solid sense of self-esteem, fruitful social development, and future success is based on their child's academic and societal environment in K-12 schools. However, middle and elementary school students in Tennessee can have their young lives disturbed by a myriad of trials and troubles on campus.
Unfortunately, the consequences can impact them from elementary and middle school through high school. In some cases, discipline quashes dreams of postsecondary education. If your student child is accused of misconduct or any other wrongdoing, it's essential to take the situation seriously. Getting the help you need when allegations arise means your child's rights are protected, as is their future.
Tennessee Middle and Elementary School Academic Misconduct Charges
Academic misconduct charges aren't limited to high school and college classrooms. Even young students can run afoul of a school's academic ethics or progression policies.
The Tennessee Department of Education (TDOE) is tasked with outlining. For instance, TDOE gives the state's public, private, and charter schools guidelines on how to manage misconduct and thresholds for various disciplines. While each school or district may vary slightly in what they define as academic misconduct, the following are common forms:
- Academic dishonesty
- Cheating
- Plagiarism
- Network fraud
Depending on the severity of academic misconduct, elementary and middle school students will be handled with a range of punishments. For example, Collierville Schools has multiple types of disciplinary procedures to punish academic misconduct, including but not limited to behavioral intervention plans, short-term suspension, remanding to an alternative school, and expulsion.
Beginning a disciplinary record at such a young age puts a student at risk until the end of their educative years. But academic troubles are only the start of what children face at school.
Tennessee Middle and Elementary School Behavioral Misconduct Charges
Elementary and middle school students in Tennessee also face a host of behavioral misconduct charges. Schools will regulate everything from dress codes, cell phone possession, speech on campus, attendance, and dozens of other facets of student life. Elementary and middle school students—and their parents and guardians—will be reminded of what their school considers proper behavior during orientation at the beginning of the year, usually topped off by turning in a signed page of the student-parent handbook.
As institutions work to maintain their public reputation amidst pressure from parents, activist groups, and the federal government to ensure safety in schools, many are adopting zero-tolerance policies for an array of offenses. According to Tennessee's Clovercroft Elementary School, "Bullying is not tolerated…Behavior that is found to be in violation of this policy shall be subject to discipline, up to and including suspension as deemed by administration."
Such zero-tolerance policies, however, create a gray area in elementary and middle school discipline. Schools like the one mentioned above include clauses that define bullying as anything that "causes emotional distress" or leads to a "hostile educational environment." Unclear language is one of the biggest risks to students working hard in class, and with parents struggling to discern the legalese of a school's rules and regulations, young students can quickly be swept up by an out-of-school suspension, dismissal, or a referral to an alternative disciplinary placement.
Tennessee Middle and Elementary School Academic Progression Issues
Despite their age, elementary and middle school students can be punished for not progressing fast enough academically. The Tennessee State Board of Education (SBE) specifically lists the number of credit hours, types of classes, and graduation timelines, among other student academic responsibilities. Yet, bad grades aren't the only component of student progression.
Tennessee has a mandatory attendance law, according to the SBE. This means all children must attend school through the age of 16. They must also attend a certain number of school days in a single academic year, and the thresholds vary slightly between public, private, and charter schools. Nevertheless, a lack of progression is one of many things for which an elementary or middle school student may garner an in-school suspension or other forms of harsh punishment.
Tennessee Middle and Elementary School Disability Issues
Tennessee school students must also contend with issues gaining the disability accommodations that state and federal law require. Like all states, Tennessee must comply with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), requiring elementary and middle schools to provide a free, appropriate public education. The law dictates that schools must maintain an Individualized Education Program (IEP) for students with qualifying disabilities.
Under IDEA, the following are some of the categories of qualifying disabilities that, if students are diagnosed with, a school must reasonably accommodate them:
- Learning disabilities
- Emotional disturbances
- Speech, language, hearing, or visual impairments
- Orthopedic impairment
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Other impairments, such as Autism Spectrum Disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
While some states may allow students with IEPs to graduate when they're 22, Tennessee aligns with federal law wherein the aging out occurs at 21. Legally-required accommodations can include modified class schedules, assistive programs and devices, readers and note-takers, light or sound protection, counseling, and many other aids and services.
TDOE is responsible for ensuring that school districts provide IEPs, including an annual revisitation of its academic, behavioral, and vocational goals. Moreover, if a student with an IEP faces disciplinary action, IDEA requires the school to conduct a manifestation determination as part of the grievance process to assess the student's progression.
Tennessee Education Law Services
If your student child is facing any of the above situations, from failing to progress academically and alleged behavioral issues to seeking disability accommodations, the Lento Law Firm is prepared to aid you and your student in navigating these hurdles. The experienced professionals on its Education Law Team will ensure they receive just treatment per state and federal laws and the school's protocols.
The Lento Law Firm's Education Law Team can assist you in scrutinizing the school's allegations, your student's procedural privileges, and any mitigating evidence to refute accusations. They will advocate for your student's rights to informal resolution meetings, discovery of school-held evidence, and fair hearings and appeals. Moreover, they can negotiate with school authorities and district oversight personnel, including general counsels or externally-hired legal representation, to secure alternative resolutions. Call 888-535-3686 to reach the Lento Law Firm, or go online now.
Student Defense in East Tennessee School Districts
The Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team is available across Eastern Tennessee, including the Johnson County School District, Carter County School District, Know County School District, Cumberland County School District, Rhea County School District, Grainger County School District, and all those in between.
Student Defense in Middle Tennessee School Districts
The Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team is available across Middle Tennessee, including the Murfreesboro County School District, Franklin County School District, Giles County School District, DeKalb County School District, Williamson County School District, Hickman County School District, and all those in between.
Student Defense in West Tennessee School Districts
The Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team is available across Western Tennessee, including the Lake County School District, McNairy County School District, Tipton County School District, Henderson County School District, Carroll County School District, Haywood County School District, and all those in between.
No matter your location in Tennessee, retain the Lento Law Firm's premier Education Law Team to help your middle or elementary school student with their challenges. Their years of nationwide experience set them apart. Call 888-535-3686 or go online now for a skilled and experienced Education Law Team in Tennessee.
