If you're a parent in Midlothian, Texas, and you've been told your child is being placed in a Disciplinary Alternative Education Program (DAEP), you're likely overwhelmed and uncertain about what comes next. A DAEP placement isn't a minor issue—it disrupts your child's education, separates them from peers, and can carry long-term consequences that go far beyond the classroom.
Midlothian ISD enforces a strict student code of conduct, as do surrounding districts. However, how these policies are applied can vary from school to school, and not every DAEP referral is as justified as it seems. Zero-tolerance policies, rushed decisions, or misunderstandings often result in students being removed from their regular campus unfairly.
If your child attends school in Midlothian or nearby communities and you're facing a DAEP placement notice, immediate action is critical. Every district follows its own disciplinary procedures, but they all must comply with Texas education laws. Acting quickly gives you the best chance to protect your child's academic record and future opportunities.
The Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team assists families across Ellis County. From our Dallas-Fort Worth office, we help parents in the Midlothian area navigate DAEP placements strategically and effectively. Call 888-535-3686 or contact us online to start building your defense.
What is DAEP in Midlothian?
A Disciplinary Alternative Education Program (DAEP) is a separate educational setting for students removed from their regular campus due to behavioral violations. While these programs are framed as corrective, many families find them more punitive than rehabilitative. Students placed in DAEP face an entirely different school environment—one that can be isolating, restrictive, and academically disruptive.
In Midlothian ISD, students assigned to DAEP are placed at The MILE campus, located at 220 South 2nd Avenue, Midlothian, TX 76065. This facility houses both the DAEP program and LEAP Academy, an alternative program for credit recovery. However, for students facing disciplinary action, the MILE serves as the designated placement campus.
Students attending elementary, middle, and high schools across Midlothian ISD—including Midlothian High School, Midlothian Heritage High School, Dieterich Middle School, Frank Seale Middle School, and the district's various elementary schools—may be referred to The MILE following specific code of conduct violations.
It's important to understand that even though the DAEP campus is part of the district, its structure differs significantly from traditional schools:
- Strict supervision and limited movement. Students face tight restrictions on their activities, including movement between classes and campus facilities.
- Modified instructional methods. DAEP programs often emphasize compliance and behavior correction over standard academic rigor, which can affect a student's educational progress.
- Mixed-age settings. Students of various ages may be placed together, raising concerns about safety and appropriate peer interactions.
- Exclusion from extracurriculars. Participation in sports, clubs, and other school-sponsored activities is typically suspended during DAEP placement.
For families in Midlothian, it's essential to recognize how disruptive a DAEP placement can be, not just academically, but socially and emotionally. Being sent to The MILE separates students from their usual support systems, making the experience even more isolating.
How DAEP Placement Affects Students in Midlothian
A DAEP assignment isn't just a change of scenery—it's a serious disruption to a student's education and well-being. While intended as corrective, these placements often trigger setbacks that extend far beyond the time spent at The MILE.
For students in Midlothian ISD, a DAEP placement can result in:
- Academic Setbacks: DAEP campuses like The MILE may not follow the same curriculum pacing or offer the same resources as a student's home campus. This can lead to missed lessons, gaps in learning, and challenges reintegrating after returning to their regular school.
- Loss of Peer Support: Separation from friends, teachers, and familiar routines can take an emotional toll. Students often struggle with motivation and may feel isolated both during and after their time in DAEP.
- Long-Term Labeling: A DAEP record can influence how students are perceived by teachers and administrators, leading to heightened scrutiny and a "problem student" label that follows them through the rest of their school career.
- Elimination from Extracurriculars: During placement, students typically lose access to sports, clubs, and other activities that enhance their school experience and can be critical for college applications or scholarships.
- Heightened Surveillance Upon Return: Even after completing their DAEP term, students may face stricter monitoring and quicker disciplinary actions for future infractions.
For students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) or Section 504 Plans, these challenges are magnified. DAEP settings often fail to provide the accommodations and support services students are entitled to under federal law, putting them at an even greater disadvantage.
The impact of a DAEP placement isn't limited to the weeks or months a student spends away from their campus. The academic, social, and emotional consequences can ripple through the remainder of their educational journey.
Schools Affected by DAEP Placement in the Midlothian Area
While Midlothian ISD is the primary district serving families in the city, it's important for parents to understand exactly which schools may refer students to the district's DAEP program at The MILE.
Midlothian ISD
- Admin Office: 100 Walter Stephenson Rd., Midlothian, TX 76065
- DAEP Campus: The MILE, 220 South 2nd Avenue, Midlothian, TX 76065
Students from the following campuses may be referred to The MILE for DAEP placement:
High Schools:
- Midlothian High School
- Midlothian Heritage High School
Middle Schools:
- Dieterich Middle School
- Frank Seale Middle School
- Walnut Grove Middle School
Elementary Schools:
- T.E. Baxter Elementary
- Jean Coleman Elementary
- J.R. Irvin Elementary
- Longbranch Elementary
- Dolores W. McClatchey Elementary
- LaRue Miller Elementary
- Mt. Peak Elementary
- J.A. Vitovsky Elementary
Even elementary students can face DAEP placement for certain code of conduct violations, though most referrals occur at the middle and high school levels.
Midlothian families should be proactive in understanding district policies and knowing where a DAEP referral would send their child. Being informed is the first step in challenging an unnecessary or unjust placement.
Common Reasons for DAEP Placement in Midlothian
Many parents assume DAEP placements are reserved for serious, violent infractions. But in reality, students in Midlothian can be sent to The MILE for a wide range of reasons—some of which may seem minor, subjective, or even misunderstood.
Here are some of the most common triggers for DAEP referrals in Midlothian ISD:
- Physical Altercations: Fights between students, even when mutual or involving self-defense, can lead to DAEP placement under zero-tolerance policies. The context of the altercation is not always fully considered.
- Prohibited Items on Campus: Items like vapes, tobacco, alcohol, or unauthorized medications are frequent causes for removal. Even possession without use can be grounds for referral, especially for repeat incidents.
- Chronic Behavioral Issues: Students with multiple minor infractions, such as classroom disruptions, defiance, or tardiness, may be referred to DAEP based on a pattern of behavior rather than a single serious event.
- Academic Dishonesty or Noncompliance: Repeated instances of cheating, plagiarism, or refusal to follow teacher instructions can escalate to DAEP placement if other interventions fail.
- Zero-Tolerance Violations: Possession of seemingly innocuous items—like pocketknives, toy weapons, or objects labeled as "disruptive"—can trigger automatic DAEP referrals, regardless of context or intent. It's important to note that these zero-tolerance decisions often lack a case-by-case review, meaning students with no prior history of misconduct can face the same consequences as repeat offenders. This rigid approach can be particularly damaging for younger students who may not fully grasp the implications of their actions.
- Cumulative Minor Infractions: A student who repeatedly violates dress code policies, uses a cell phone during class, or shows disrespect may face DAEP after prior warnings are documented.
It's crucial for Midlothian families to understand that many DAEP placements are discretionary. What one administrator deems a DAEP-worthy offense, another might address with a parent conference or in-school suspension. This subjectivity is exactly why parents should never assume a DAEP recommendation is final.
For students with special education plans, the risk of inappropriate DAEP placement is even greater. Miscommunication about behavior linked to disabilities can result in referrals that violate both district policy and federal protections.
Challenging a DAEP placement isn't about making excuses—it's about ensuring fairness, context, and compliance with both district policy and state law.
The DAEP Placement Process in Midlothian
When a student faces a potential DAEP placement in Midlothian ISD, the process is governed by Chapter 37 of the Texas Education Code.
However, how the process unfolds at the district level can vary, and parents often aren't given a full picture of their rights or options.
Here's what typically happens when a DAEP referral is made:
- Incident Report & Administrative Review: A teacher or staff member submits a disciplinary referral, which is reviewed by campus administrators. Often, this initial report lacks full context or doesn't reflect mitigating circumstances.
- Parent Notification: If administrators decide to pursue DAEP placement, parents are notified—typically via phone call, email, or formal letter. Unfortunately, these notifications may provide limited information about appeal rights.
- Opportunity to Appeal: Midlothian ISD allows parents to challenge DAEP placements, but the window to do so is often short (3–5 days). If families don't act quickly, they may forfeit their chance to contest the decision.
- Formal Placement Decision: Once appeals are exhausted or not pursued, the student is officially assigned to The MILE for their DAEP term. Placement lengths can range from a few weeks to an entire semester.
- Ongoing Monitoring & Reentry: After DAEP, students may face increased scrutiny upon returning to their home campus. Without proper support, these students can find themselves caught in a cycle of repeated referrals.
It's important to note that even after a placement is confirmed, there are sometimes opportunities to request a reduced term or alternative interventions, especially if legal representation is involved.
Parents should also be aware that students with IEPs or 504 Plans are entitled to additional procedural protections. If these safeguards aren't properly followed, the DAEP placement itself may be challenged on legal grounds.
For Midlothian families, understanding this process is essential. A proactive response can prevent unnecessary placements and protect your child's educational future.
How the Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team Helps Midlothian Families
Facing a DAEP placement can feel overwhelming, but families in Midlothian don't have to handle it alone. The Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team understands how disruptive these placements can be, not just academically, but emotionally and socially.
Here's how we help parents protect their child's future:
- Identifying Procedural Errors: We review whether Midlothian ISD followed proper procedures in recommending DAEP placement. If policies were overlooked or steps were skipped, we highlight these issues to challenge the referral.
- Clarifying the Facts: Misunderstandings, incomplete reports, and missing context often lead to unnecessary DAEP placements. We gather evidence, review disciplinary records, and work to ensure your child's side of the story is heard.
- Managing Appeals & Negotiations: We handle appeal deadlines, draft responses, and negotiate for reduced placements or alternative disciplinary measures that are less disruptive to your child's education.
- Protecting Special Education Rights: If your child has an IEP or 504 Plan, we ensure the district upholds these accommodations and doesn't violate federal protections during the DAEP process.
- Supporting Reentry After Placement: For families whose child has already been placed, we work to ease the transition back to their home campus, ensuring proper academic support and monitoring post-placement scrutiny.
A DAEP referral isn't just about punishment—it's about process. And if that process isn't followed correctly, families have every right to challenge the outcome.
If your child in Midlothian is facing DAEP placement—whether they attend Midlothian High School, Heritage High School, or any other campus in Midlothian ISD—the time to act is now. The earlier you intervene, the better your chances of protecting your child's education.
Call the Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team at 888-535-3686 or contact us online to start your defense.
