Parents in the Colorado Springs metropolitan area have great hope in what the area's schools can provide their student children. The region's K-12, post-secondary, and other educational institutions are tasked with preparing students through a list of examinations, group projects, and standardized tests, evaluating both academic and behavioral thresholds. If parents envision their children developing a business, onboarding at a top-notch company, or working toward a four-year degree, each begins by obtaining a valuable high school diploma. However, the move by schools nationwide to zero-tolerance disciplinary policies means that students risk becoming targets of stringent rules and burdensome school disciplinary personnel. Even if your hard-working student child is concentrating on their studies and planning to graduate, the trials of adolescence can present obstacles that impede their journey. For example, students can succumb to the following:
- Damaged social and peer relationships
- Emotional, mental, or physical health challenges
- False misconduct accusations
- Family emergencies
- Pressure from extracurricular activities
- Stress from schoolwork
There is a multitude of circumstances that may misdirect young students. Luckily, dedicated parents are always present to assist their children through challenges with positive-minded love and care. Parents may believe that school administrators and disciplinary officials will be as forgiving as they are, but it's a common misconception. Schools are obligated to maintain federal and state funding streams and work tirelessly to uphold their public reputations. Therefore, schools at any level won't hesitate to hand down harsh sanctions when students are in the throes of grievance procedures. Hearings conducted by school officials don't have the same rules as adjudication in a courtroom. The fast-paced grievance processes schools depend on for disciplinary action may not take into account a student's extenuating circumstances or grant them due process in some situations.
Parents must understand that professional help can be retained when their student child's graduation prospect is at risk. When enrolling in higher education programs, entering the workforce, or joining a civil or military service program is threatened, there's no greater value than partnering with a proven professional. Education attorney-advisor Joseph D. Lento has provided trustworthy guidance and representation for countless students in the Colorado Springs metropolitan area and nationwide. He and his team at the Lento Law Firm understand the severe disciplinary actions schools sometimes take to manage the institution's academic and behavioral standards.
Colorado Springs Metropolitan Area
Encompassing El Paso and Teller Counties in the geographical center of Colorado, the Colorado Springs Metropolitan area is home to over 750,000 residents. Colorado Springs is the second-most prominent city of the Front Range Urban Corridor, serving as the bustling gateway to the Rocky Mountains. The area's economy is driven primarily by the defense, tech, and tourism industries and is experiencing immense growth in the service sector, culminating in an unemployment rate lower than the national average.
Joseph D. Lento and his team have spent years building relationships with representatives in the Office of General Counsel (OGC) in the area's numerous schools. He understands that graduating from one of the many educational institutions in Colorado Springs provides students with a bright beginning to their careers. Therefore, he is no stranger to helping students reach their goals to enter the business sectors listed above. Joseph D. Lento and his education law defense team can deliver much-needed disciplinary support in areas such as:
- Air Force Academy
- Black Forest
- Cimarron Hills
- Fort Carson
- Fountain
- Gleneagle
- Manitou Springs
- Monument
- Security-Widefield
- Stratmoor
- Woodland Park
- Woodmoor
By placing their trust in Joseph D. Lento and his education law defense team, parents can devote time to the emotional support of their children while negotiations are underway. Whether your elementary school-age child faces progression issues or your child is a third-year law student battling through remediation, the Lento Law Firm can help.
Colorado Springs Metropolitan Area Schools
Regardless of the grade, program level, or degree concentration in Colorado Springs metropolitan area schools, you can get assistance with school-related issues, including disciplinary action. Representation is available for students at the following colleges and universities:
- Colorado Christian University
- Colorado College
- Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
- Regis University
- University of Colorado
- University of Northern Colorado
- U.S. Air Force Academy
Attorney Joseph D. Lento and the Lento Law Firm's education law defense team can also effectively defend students in K-12 programs in city and county public school districts across the Colorado Springs metropolitan area, such as:
- Abrams Elementary School
- Antelope Trails Elementary School
- Audubon Elementary School
- Bates Elementary School
- Canon Elementary School
- Challenger Middle School
- Cheyenne Mountain High School
- Discovery High School
- Eagleview Middle School
- Explorer Elementary School
- Fox Meadow Middle School
- Gold Camp Elementary School
- Hanover Junior-Senior High School
- Jackson Elementary School
- Keller Elementary School
- Liberty High School
- Martin Luther King Jr Elementary School
- Mitchell High School
- New Horizons High School
- Oak Creek Elementary School
- Palmer High School
- Panorama Middle School
- Queen Palmer Elementary School
- Rampart High School
- Sabin Middle School
- Talbott Elementary School
- Vista Ridge High School
- West Middle School
- Widefield High School
Students in private elementary and secondary schools across the Colorado Springs metropolitan area can also retain the help of education law defense advisor Joseph D. Lento and his team at the Lento Law Firm, including those attending:
- Academy Calvert K-8 Online School
- Academy Endeavour Elementary School
- Academy For Advanced and Creative Learning
- Academy International Elementary School
- Atlas Preparatory School
- Banning Lewis Ranch Academy
- Cheyenne Mountain Charter Academy
- Colorado Springs Early Colleges
- Early College High School
- Galileo School Of Math and Science
- Globe Charter School
- High School Preparatory Academy
- Imagine Indigo Ranch
- Jack Swigert Aerospace Academy
- Life Skills Center of Colorado Springs
- Mountain Vista Homeschool Academy
- Nikola Tesla Education Opportunity Center
- Pikes Peak Prep
- Roosevelt Edison Charter School
- Space Technology and Arts (STAR) Academy
- Thomas Maclaren State Charter School
- Zebulon Pike
Disciplinary Defense in the Colorado Springs Metropolitan Area
Every school, from elementary to graduate universities, will have rules regulating academics, student behavior, extracurricular activities, school-related events, financial aid, and many others. Schools may categorize violations of these rules—referred to as misconduct—slightly differently by program or grade level. Still, there are generally three types detailed in a school's code of conduct, honor code, or student handbook:
- Academic misconduct
- Non-academic misconduct
- Title IX and sexual misconduct
As previously mentioned, schools fall under enormous scrutiny to maintain a pristine reputation in the public eye. They also must maintain accreditation from regulatory bodies and eligibility for federal funding streams. Such commitments mean that disciplinary boards will swiftly address misconduct allegations. Sanctions can harm your student child's future, including rule infractions like cheating and failure to progress to the next grade or unauthorized collaboration and possessing prohibited items on school grounds. Regardless of the issue, parents can expect Joseph D. Lento and his education law defense team to defend their child from misconduct accusations in the following areas.
Academic Progression Issues
While enrolled, students must adhere to an institution's academic guidelines and rigorous rules on what represents progression. Most schools have policies clearly defining satisfactory academic progress (SAP) and the consequences for failing to meet minimum requirements. For example, Colorado College states that its SAP policy includes a minimum cumulative grade point average, cumulative completion rate, and a maximum timeframe for graduation. Primary and secondary schools will also have requirements for students to advance to the next grade or graduate. For instance, Liberty High School's graduation requirements include a minimum of 50 course credits earned, earning a "C-"or higher on approved Reading, Writing, Communication, and Math assessments, and obtaining a passing score on a capstone project.
If any of the aforementioned provisions aren't met, students risk disciplinary action through academic probation, suspension, and expulsion. However, schools sometimes misappropriate their academic progression policies and fail to consider a student's extenuating circumstances when their performance suffers. Appealing sanctions are possible, but young students focused on their studies typically don't have the negotiation tactics to broker disciplinary relief with a school's dean, principal, OGC, or academic advisor. Fortunately, Joseph D. Lento can help your child through issues with academic progression.
Academic Misconduct Issues
The cornerstone of any educational program is integrity. Therefore, schools like Cheyenne Mountain High School, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, the University of Colorado, and other schools in the Colorado Springs metropolitan area will have policies addressing dishonesty in the educational process. These include but are not limited to the following:
- Bribery
- Cheating
- Collusion
- Computer and network misuse
- Duplicate submissions
- Failure to progress
- Misrepresentation
- Plagiarism
- Research misconduct
- Unauthorized collaboration
While schools rightfully discipline those who violate academic rules, such situations can lead to unfair misconduct charges. Since disciplinary action remains on a student's record, it will greatly affect prospects like attending college, gaining employment, and joining a service program. To mitigate the consequences that allegations will have, consult with Joseph D. Lento and the Lento Law Firm to overcome academic misconduct accusations.
Non-Academic Misconduct Issues
Schools also work diligently to establish and maintain an orderly learning environment. Anything disrupting the school or campus day will garner corrective action.
For example, the University of Northern Colorado (UNC) maintains policies prohibiting certain behaviors on campus. Students will violate the rules if they engage in the following actions:
- Alcoholic beverage or controlled substance consumption or possession
- Damage or Destruction of property
- Disorderly conduct
- Fire safety violations
- Interference with UNC operations
- Possessing deadly weapons
- Rioting
- Theft
- Trespassing
Primary and secondary schools also have detailed guidelines for student behavior. While similar to those governing institutions of higher education, they may include different provisions depending on the school. For example, Sabin Middle School has policies regulating student dress and conduct on school buses.
Although students may be punished at any level of education for unnecessary disturbances, school officials sometimes mischaracterize them. Unconventional actions or behaviors don't always require reprimand, especially when there is a good excuse for the alleged deeds or a misunderstanding. Therefore, it's essential to retain premier education law attorney-advisor Joseph D. Lento to defend your child against non-academic misconduct charges.
Title IX and Sexual Misconduct
Federal Title IX regulations require schools receiving federal funding to address sex and gender-based discrimination, harassment, and sexual misconduct. Every college and post-graduate program will have a Title IX coordinator supervising the grievance process's investigative, hearing, and sanctioning phases. For instance, Colorado Christian University explains that the following are violations:
- Bullying
- Coercion
- Dating/domestic violence
- Hazing
- Intimidation
- Retaliation
- Stalking
- Solicitation
K-12 schools like Thomas Maclaren State Charter School also have regulations governing sexual misconduct and Title IX violations. While similar to those at colleges and universities, the process is slightly different as they have optional live hearings, and a student's parents or guardians are involved.
One of the biggest issues surrounding Title IX is that regulations are constantly changing via prevailing political winds and public opinion. To have confidence in proceeding in the Title IX process, get assistance from Joseph D. Lento and the education law defense team at the Lento Law Firm.
Colorado Springs Education Attorney-Advisor Value Proposition
Inexperienced lawyers may tell parents of beleaguered children that lawsuits are the best plan of action against school discipline. While formal proceedings are possible, litigation is a rarely-needed last-resort tactic. As mentioned before, school disciplinary hearings are different from a court of law. Therefore, trial experience doesn't always convert into an effective student defense strategy. The goal for students and their parents should be quick, negotiated, and stress-free relief from misconduct allegations, not drawn-out and expensive legal remedies.
Joseph D. Lento has handled student cases by producing bespoke resolutions with members of a school's OGC on behalf of students and resolved matters outside formal hearings. His experience keeps a student concentrating on their studies and lifts a considerable weight off their parents' shoulders. Hiring student defense advisor Joseph D. Lento gives you and your student child a chance to fight back against school discipline. Call 888-535-3686 today, or visit the confidential online consultation form.
