Fighting DAEP Placement in Mansfield, Texas

There's nothing good about receiving a call from Mansfield ISD about your child's discipline. It can feel overwhelming. One minute, your child is just another student in class; the next, you hear “DAEP placement.” Reality's capricious nature allows for instantaneous change. This sudden change worries us about your child's future in academics, social life, and emotional health.

Mansfield ISD has over 35,000 students and operates its Disciplinary Alternative Education Program (DAEP) through the Behavior Intervention Center (BIC), housed at The Phoenix Academy located at 902 E. Broad Street. School officials may describe DAEP as just another option, but many parents in Mansfield say that students who go to The Phoenix Academy often come back with learning gaps, lost chances, and sometimes a stigma that follows them throughout school.

The Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team assists families in Mansfield with unfair DAEP placements. Our nearest office in Dallas supports families in Mansfield, and we know the disciplinary procedures used in Mansfield ISD. Call 888-535-3686 today or contact us online to discuss your child's case and find out how we can help keep them in their regular classroom.

What Happens at DAEP in Mansfield ISD?

When the decision has been made, and Mansfield ISD assigns a student to DAEP, they must attend The Phoenix Academy instead of their regular school. According to the Mansfield ISD Student Code of Conduct, DAEP placements typically range from 15 to 120 school days, depending on the alleged violation and the student's disciplinary history.

For parents unfamiliar with The Phoenix Academy, here's what your child will experience:

• Students must follow a strict dress code, including solid-colored shirts without logos or designs.
• All personal electronics must be surrendered upon arrival.
• Students are completely separated from extracurricular activities, including sports, clubs, and school events.
• Academic offerings are more limited, with fewer advanced courses or special programs.
• The environment focuses heavily on behavior control rather than educational engagement.

Many Mansfield parents report that their children found The Phoenix Academy environment stressful and isolating. The highly structured setting and separation from their usual teachers and friends creates additional challenges beyond just academic disruption.

Schools in Mansfield ISD That Can Refer Students to DAEP

Students from any Mansfield ISD school can be assigned to The Phoenix Academy. Understanding which schools most frequently make these referrals helps parents recognize potential risks and respond proactively.

High Schools in Mansfield ISD:

• Mansfield High School
• Mansfield Legacy High School
• Mansfield Summit High School
• Mansfield Timberview High School
• Mansfield Lake Ridge High School
• Frontier High School
• Mansfield Early College High School

Middle Schools in Mansfield ISD:

• Brooks Wester Middle School
• Danny Jones Middle School
• James Coble Middle School
• Linda Jobe Middle School
• Rogene Worley Middle School
• T.A. Howard Middle School
• Charlene McKinzey Middle School

Intermediate Schools in Mansfield ISD:

• Cross Timbers Intermediate School
• Mary Lillard Intermediate School
• Martha Reid Leadership Academy
• Mary Orr Intermediate School
• Donna Shepard Intermediate School
• Alma Martinez Intermediate School

Elementary Schools in Mansfield ISD:

While DAEP placements from elementary schools are less common, they do occur in certain situations, particularly for older elementary students with serious behavioral issues:

• Alice Ponder Elementary School
• Anna May Daulton Elementary School
• Carol Holt Elementary School
• Charlotte Anderson Elementary School
• D.P. Morris Elementary School
• Elizabeth Smith Elementary School
• Erma Nash Elementary School
• Glenn Harmon Elementary School
• Imogene Gideon Elementary School
• J.L. Boren Elementary School
• Janet Brockett Elementary School
• Louise Cabaniss Elementary School
• Judy Miller Elementary School
• Nancy Neal Elementary School
• Roberta Tipps Elementary School
• Tarver-Rendon Elementary School
• Willie Brown Elementary School
• Cora Spencer Elementary School
• Kenneth Davis Elementary School
• Annette Perry Elementary School
• Brenda Norwood Elementary School
• Thelma Jones Elementary School

While Mansfield ISD operates the primary DAEP campus in the area, it's worth noting that two nearby school districts also manage their own alternative education programs for the few campuses they operate within Mansfield. Arlington ISD's Anderson Elementary feeds into the Turning Point Secondary School at 2209 N. Davis Drive, Arlington, TX 76012 (AISD Code of Conduct). Similarly, Burleson ISD's Bransom Elementary refers students to the Right Turn Discipline Center at 505 Pleasant Manor, Burleson, TX 76028 (BISD Code of Conduct). If your child attends one of these schools and you're facing DAEP placement, this information is still relevant to your next steps.

How DAEP Affects Your Child's Education at MISD

When your child is placed in The Phoenix Academy, it may shift and throw off their future education and opportunities by a great deal.

Academic Setbacks

It is difficult for students at The Phoenix Academy to maintain academic momentum:

• The curriculum often doesn't align perfectly with what's happening in their regular classrooms.
• Advanced Placement and honors courses may not be available or fully supported.
• Specialized programs like career tech, fine arts, or language immersion get interrupted.
• Teaching approaches differ significantly from their home campus.

Social Development Challenges

DAEP means your child will be in a new environment, without their friends, school teachers, and the usual curriculum, and this may cause a few problems:

• Complete separation from their friend groups and social support systems.
• No participation in clubs, teams, or extracurricular activities.
• Loss of mentoring relationships with coaches, club sponsors, and favorite teachers.
• In many cases, students have a difficult time reintegrating socially after returning to their regular school.

Future Opportunity Costs

DAEP placement can create lasting obstacles to future success:

• Missed crucial athletic events where college scouts could have noticed their talent and offered scholarships.
• Gaps in college application activities and leadership positions.
• Disrupted preparation for standardized tests and college entrance exams.
• Transcript notations that may require an explanation for college admissions.

Psychological Impact

DAEP placements may take an emotional toll on your child, and there are several studies on how DAEP affects students:

• Increased anxiety about school.
• It may impact confidence and self-image when returning to regular school.
• Being labeled as a “troubled student” even after returning to regular school.
• Higher scrutiny from teachers and administrators can lead to repeated disciplinary action.

These educational disruptions highlight why challenging unfair DAEP placement is so important. Preventing assignment to The Phoenix Academy whenever possible protects your child's academic future and emotional well-being.

Common Reasons for DAEP Referral in Mansfield

DAEP isn't always mandatory. In fact, many placements come down to the school's judgment call. Administrators often have room to decide whether a situation really calls for alternative placement—or if it could be handled with a less disruptive option.

Here are a few common reasons your child can be recommended for DAEP:

• Physical altercations or fighting, even if your child claims self-defense or was minimally involved.
• Possession of prohibited items, including vaping devices, alcohol, drugs, or items that could be considered weapons.
• Threats, bullying, or harassment, including content posted on social media platforms.
• Repeated violations of the student code of conduct, sometimes called “persistent misbehavior.”
• Academic dishonesty when it's repeated or considered severe.
• Off-campus conduct that administrators determine affects the school environment.

In Mansfield, students have been assigned to DAEP for incidents that might have been handled differently if parents had advocated effectively from the start or had proper legal support during the process.

How the DAEP Process Works in Mansfield ISD

Understanding the DAEP placement process gives parents critical insight into when and how they can intervene effectively. Mansfield ISD follows specific procedures before finalizing a DAEP assignment.

Initial Incident and Investigation

Usually this process begins when school staff observes or receives a report about an alleged violation, which then the student may be removed from class due to pending investigation. Administrators gather evidence, which might include interviewing witnesses, camera footage, examining the student's disciplinary history and checking social media.

This investigation stage is crucial but often moves quickly. In some cases, decisions about potential DAEP placement begin forming before parents are even notified.

Parent Notification

The school contacts parents by phone and sends formal written notice. This notice should detail information like the specific rule violation(s), evidence supporting the allegations, the proposed length of DAEP placement, and information about parents' right to a hearing.

The notification should specify deadlines for requesting a hearing—typically just a few days after receiving notice. Missing these deadlines can severely limit your options to challenge the placement.

Disciplinary Hearing

This conference typically includes the campus administrator who made the initial recommendation. Parents and the student can present their perspective and any relevant evidence they have gathered from the incident that goes against the decision. You are allowed to have an attorney present at this time and it's highly advised you do so in order to challenge the decision effectively.

Many Mansfield parents report feeling overwhelmed during these hearings. School officials often present DAEP placement as inevitable rather than a decision that can be challenged or modified.

The Appeal Process

Just because the decision may not have gone your way, it doesn't mean that it cannot be appealed. There are three appeal levels to consider:

1. Level One: Appeal to the campus principal (if not already involved)
2. Level Two: Appeal to a district administrator
3. Level Three: Appeal to the Board of Trustees

Each appeal level has specific deadlines and documentation requirements. Missing these deadlines typically means losing your right to further appeals.

How the Lento Law Firm Helps Mansfield Families Fight DAEP

When your child is facing DAEP placement in Mansfield, having legal support can really help. The Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team knows the rules of Mansfield ISD. They have helped many local families fight unfair disciplinary actions.

Spotting Where the School Got It Wrong

One of the strongest ways we help families is by digging into whether the school actually followed its own process. Mansfield ISD has rules it must follow before sending a student to The Phoenix Academy. We go through each step carefully to see if the district cut corners or skipped requirements. Common issues we catch include:

• Not giving families enough notice about the alleged rule violation
• Relying on vague or incomplete evidence
• Bringing up unrelated past behavior that shouldn't factor into the current case
• Failing to follow legal protections for students in special education
• Applying the Student Code of Conduct inconsistently from one student to another

These kinds of missteps can be powerful leverage when asking the district to reverse or reduce a DAEP decision.

Helping You Build a Real Defense

We work side-by-side with families to push back against unfair placements. That starts by making sure your child's version of events is fully heard and supported:

• Collecting written statements from people who witnessed the incident and back up your child's account
• Pointing out gaps, contradictions, or missing pieces in the school's version of the story
• Highlighting any outside factors that might explain the behavior or reduce how serious it seems
• Helping your child feel confident sharing what happened in their own words
• Putting together a strong, clear case for why staying in regular classes is the right outcome

We always aim to show why DAEP placement is not right or too much for your child's situation.

Representing Families at Critical Meetings

Many Mansfield parents don't realize they can bring legal representation to school disciplinary hearings. Having a knowledgeable attorney present changes the dynamic significantly:

• School officials recognize they must follow proper procedures
• Evidence and allegations receive more thorough scrutiny
• Your child's rights and interests have professional protection
• Alternative disciplinary solutions receive serious consideration

Our presence at these meetings often results in more favorable outcomes than parents typically achieve on their own.

Negotiating Alternatives to DAEP

DAEP isn't the only option for addressing behavioral issues. We regularly help families negotiate alternatives that address the school's concerns while keeping students in their regular educational environment:

• In-school suspension with appropriate academic support
• Behavior improvement plans with clear goals and supports
• Restorative justice approaches that repair harm constructively
• Counseling services that address underlying issues

These alternatives often better serve both the school's disciplinary needs and your child's educational interests.

Guiding Families Through Appeals

When initial efforts don't succeed, we help navigate Mansfield ISD's multi-level appeal process:

• Filing properly formatted appeals within tight deadlines
• Developing stronger arguments at each appeal level
• Introducing new evidence when allowed
• Preparing for board-level hearings when necessary

Our knowledge of Texas education law and Mansfield ISD's specific policies means we know which arguments work best at each step.

Don't Wait to Get Help for Your Child

When Mansfield ISD recommends DAEP placement, time is critical. Schools often pressure families to accept decisions quickly, hoping you won't challenge them. But once your child starts at The Phoenix Academy, it becomes much harder to reverse course.

The Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team has helped families across Mansfield protect their children's educational futures. We understand how Mansfield ISD handles discipline and what it takes to keep students in their regular schools. Call the Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team today at 888-535-3686 or contact us online.