Enshrined into law in the United States is the right that children and youth have to a free and appropriate education. For their part, students are expected to participate and meet certain benchmarks set by their school and the state government or other governing bodies, where appropriate. To remain in good standing, students at all levels are also expected to abide by their schools' ethical standards or codes of conduct.
But what happens when, all too often, life doesn't go exactly according to plan? What could happen if an unforeseen event or circumstance interferes with a student's progress – whether a divorce, death in the family, undiagnosed disability, unmet special education or IEP (individualized education plan) needs, or any number of other interruptions?
If a situation leads to a student failing to meet standards or a school believes a student is in violation of a behavioral or conduct policy, for example, there is a chance that the student could face penalties that may seriously jeopardize their future.
Students and their families who are in such a position may wish to consider seeking the counsel of an experienced educational attorney advisor. Doing so could significantly lessen the stress brought on by these situations and expedite a resolution, helping the student recover and move forward without losing the groundwork they have laid.
Most students want to be held to high expectations in school. They want to be challenged to think critically and strive for excellence. At the college level, this is why they are there, after all. Yet the expectations placed on students must be reasonable and flexible to a student's changing life experiences. Especially in unpredictable times, schools must recognize that unforeseen life circumstances should not hinder a student's ability to successfully complete their academic programming or get in the way of their future success.
If you are a student facing penalties for conduct or performance issues, such as suspension or expulsion, and you feel you are being unfairly treated by your school, do not give up hope. Consider seeking the services of a highly qualified education attorney-advisor. Joseph D. Lento and the Lento Law Firm team are available to discuss what you or your student are facing and the recourse you may be able to take in response to your school's actions.
Academic Attorney-Advisor Joseph D. Lento has advised and defended students across the country. In south-central Kansas, the Lento Law Firm team serves the Wichita Metropolitan Area.
You (or your student) have worked too hard to allow false or unfair charges to derail your educational experience. Contact Education Attorney-Advisor Lento for winning guidance today.
Wichita Metro Area Student Concerns
Students attending schools in the Wichita area face expectations around attendance, participation, grades, conduct, and their contribution to a positive school culture and climate similar to students across the country. As the largest city in Kansas, one that is home to several universities and serves as both an academic and cultural hub of the state, students here have a reputation for high performance. While this is a point of pride, it can also feed into the stress many students are under today.
Wichita Metro Area Schools
Education Attorney-Advisor Joseph D. Lento is available to provide guidance to students and their families at all levels of education and in all types of programming, from public or private K-12 institutions to community, technical, or military programs and to undergraduate and graduate university programs across the Wichita Metro Area.
For example, Attorney-Advisor Lento is available to support students at the following metro Wichita area colleges and universities, to list just a few:
- Wichita State University
- Friends University
- Newman University
- University of Kansas – School of Medicine Wichita Campus
- Wichita Technical Institute
- Baker University
- Butler Community College
- Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
- Southwestern College
- Tabor College
- Vatterott College
- Webster University
- Heritage College
- University of Phoenix
Attorney-Advisor Lento and his Education Law Team also serve students in more than 35 private and parochial schools in the Wichita metropolitan area, including:
Catholic Schools:
- Bishop Carroll Catholic High School
- Kapaun Mt. Carmel High School
- Sacred Heart Catholic School
- St. James Catholic School
- St. Patrick Catholic School
- Holy Name Catholic School
- St. Joseph Catholic School
- St. Mary Parish Catholic School
- St. Mary's Catholic School
- Holy Spirit Catholic School
- St. Cecilia Catholic School
- Holy Cross Catholic School
- St. Andrew Catholic School
- St. Patrick Catholic School
- St. Joseph Catholic School
- St. Mary Catholic School
- St. Mary's Elementary School
- St. Peter Catholic School
- All Saints Catholic School
- Blessed Sacrament Catholic School
- Christ the King Catholic School
- Holy Savior Catholic School
- Magdalen Catholic School
- Resurrection Catholic School
- St. Anne Catholic School
- St. Catherine of Siena Catholic School
- St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic School
- St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School
- St. June Catholic School
- St. Margaret Mary Catholic School
- St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School
- Holy Name Catholic School
- Trinity Catholic Jr./Sr. High School
- St. Mary's Colgan Jr./Sr. High School
Lutheran Schools:
- Bethany Lutheran School
- Holy Cross Lutheran School
Seventh-day Adventist Schools:
- Three Angels School
- Wichita Adventist Christian Academy
Other Christian Schools:
- Calvary Christian School
- Central Christian Academy
- Classical School of Wichita
- Sunrise Christian Academy
- Trinity Academy
- Wichita Friends School
- Word of Life Traditional School
Islamic Schools:
- Annoor School
Unaffiliated Private Schools:
- Wichita Collegiate School
- The Independent School
- Northfield School of the Liberal Arts
Montessori Schools:
- Wichita Montessori School
- Inspiration Station
- Wonder
Education Attorney-Advisor Lento and the Lento Law Firm team are also available to effectively represent students in kindergarten through grade twelve programs in public school districts throughout the Wichita metropolitan area. This includes:
- The more than 90 schools in Wichita USD 259
- Andover USD 385
- Circle USD 375
- Derby USD 260
- Goddard USD 265
- Haysville USD 261
- Maize USD 266
- Valley Center USD 262
Disciplinary Defense in the Wichita Metro Area
Students across the country routinely face a variety of disciplinary issues, from academic performance issues such as failing grades or cheating up to more serious charges involving weapons offenses, underage drinking, drug possession, hazing, property damage, and sexual assault. Premier Education Attorney-Advisor Joseph D. Lento and his Education Law Team are available to counsel students, and their families, at all levels who are facing school-related charges or penalties.
Academic Progression Issues
Schools expect students to pass courses, accrue credits, and earn grades that meet their school's standards. These expectations exist to better prepare students for the next grade or for their area of focus or certification. Schools are held accountable for ensuring their students and graduates meet proficiency standards, such as the Kansas Curricular Standards.
But in applying curricular standards, schools sometimes make mistakes. An instructor may make an error entering a grade. An administrator may miscalculate a grade point average. Unforeseen life circumstances like a death in the family or a student's own serious illness may qualify for a reversal of an academic progression sanction. Premier Education Attorney-Advisor Joseph D. Lento helps students defeat academic dismissals.
Academic Misconduct Issues
Schools also hold students to academic integrity standards. Wichita State University's Academic Integrity Processes and Procedures serve as a good example. They outline rules pertaining to:
- plagiarism
- unauthorized collaboration or consultation
- fabrication, falsification, or misrepresentation of information
- academic interference
- unauthorized resubmission
- bribery
- unauthorized sale, distribution, or receipt of academic materials
- research misconduct
- facilitation of academic misconduct
- unauthorized use or possession of materials or resources
Students who violate academic integrity standards undermine their own learning and can harm their school's reputation as an institution that ensures its graduates have the requisite knowledge and skills for successful program completion. Students who fail to uphold academic conduct standards reasonably face disciplinary consequences.
That said, schools do have procedures for filing grievances, such as an academic integrity appeal, when a student believes they have been unfairly accused or punished. Wichita State University's procedures around an alleged incident are illustrated in the flowchart on this page.
The appeal option exists because schools know they can misidentify cases of cheating or mistake original or properly cited work or for plagiarism and that academic misconduct findings can ruin a student's reputation and education.
Don't let false or unwarranted academic misconduct charges stand in the way of your or your child's future. Premier Education Attorney-Advisor Joseph D. Lento helps students defeat unfair academic misconduct charges.
Behavioral Misconduct Issues
Schools must also ensure that students are safe at school and enjoy a positive culture and climate. To this end, schools publish explicit student codes of conduct. Examples include The University of Wichita's Student Conduct and Community Standards.
These codes of conduct prohibit disruptive misbehaviors like damage and/or destruction of property, disruptive behavior, drugs and alcohol possession, physical violence, harassment, threats, hazing, unauthorized entry, computer misuse, relationship violence, sexual misconduct, theft, unlawful gambling, stalking, and weapons possession. Students found in violation of these codes may be suspended or expelled.
Again, at times schools make mistakes. Innocent students are sometimes falsely accused. There are also circumstances in which students may be responsible to a certain point, but a reasonable explanation exists for behavior that may negate a penalty. Behavioral misconduct findings can tarnish a student's reputation and burn bridges to future education and career opportunities. Contact premier Education Attorney-Advisor Joseph D. Lento to defeat false and unfair behavioral misconduct charges.
Title IX Sexual Misconduct Issues
Federal Title IX regulations require schools receiving federal funding to closely regulate certain forms of sexual misconduct. Title IX requires those schools to prohibit, prevent, and punish sexual assault, stalking, domestic or intimate partner violence, and sexual harassment. Schools often extend their Title IX policies to cover other non-Title IX sexual misconduct under the rubric of sexual exploitation.
These policies prohibit things like prostitution, solicitation of prostitution, sexual blackmail, and invasions of privacy. Sexual misconduct discipline can result in suspension or expulsion and ruin an education and future career.
Allegations of sexual misconduct are incredibly serious and should be thoroughly investigated. There is no excuse for sexual misconduct or violence on school campuses or anywhere in our society.
A student who finds themselves on the defending end of a Title IX sexual misconduct charge is advised to secure the services of experienced Education Attorney-Advisor Joseph D. Lento.
School Education Attorney-Advisor Value
If you are a student (or a parent/guardian of one) in the Wichita Metro area facing accusations or sanctions by your school, know that a nationwide-practicing, professional education attorney-advisor may mean the difference between a drawn-out, expensive, or unsuccessful grievance process and a quick and effective expungement of false claims.
You've worked hard to earn your place in your academic career. Your academic and conduct record should accurately reflect the effort and disciplined approach that has gotten you this far. When your future is at stake – including further education, professional or vocational licensure, or job or career opportunities – you deserve someone with special academic, administrative knowledge, skills, and experience on your side.
Contact Education Attorney-Advisor Lento and his Education Law Team today by calling 888.535.3686 or going online.
