Parents understand that their child's confidence, social growth, and eventual success are rooted in the academic and social atmosphere provided by K-12 schools. However, that doesn't mean that middle and elementary school students in New Hampshire won't face challenges. Minor instances of student misconduct can quickly derail their opportunities to progress academically, but a lack of necessary support can also put a student at risk.
The Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team stands prepared to assist your child when their future is threatened by school action or inaction. Our nationwide team can also educate you on what New Hampshire schools consider misconduct, the grievance process, subsequent consequences, and how we can defend your child at every step of the process. Call us today at 888-535-3686 or submit your details online, and the Lento Law Firm will contact you.
New Hampshire Middle and Elementary Education Issues
To promote academic and behavioral standards, middle and elementary schools will maintain a code of conduct—also known as a student or family handbook—detailing many of the institution's administrative processes. While each school will have its own guidelines, they are all based on New Hampshire Department of Education (NHDOE) standards.
Policies will include facets of what students with disabilities are offered to accommodate them in the learning environment, thresholds of academic progression toward graduation, and the grievance process to manage academic or behavioral misconduct.
New Hampshire Middle and Elementary School Academic Misconduct Charges
Many New Hampshire middle and elementary schools pride themselves on maintaining academic integrity. For instance, students at Francis C. Richmond Middle School are required to sign a statement upholding them to being "honest about your academic work with yourself, your peers and your teachers – that the work you produce is yours and yours alone."
While each school in New Hampshire may vary slightly in what they consider academic misconduct, the following are common forms:
- Academic dishonesty
- Abusing internet privileges
- Cheating
- Plagiarism
- Failure to acknowledge contributors
If middle and elementary school students are found responsible for academic misconduct, they will be treated with a range of punishments, up to suspension or expulsion. But, academic troubles are only the start of the challenges children may face at school.
New Hampshire Middle and Elementary School Behavioral Misconduct Charges
Schools must abide by the learning standards set by the NHDOE. But they also require schools to provide a safe learning place, which involves regulating student behavior on campus. Schools will also vary in how they approach defining proper behavior, but typical behavioral misconduct allegations involve the following:
- Disrupting the learning environment
- Dress code violations
- Frequent tardiness
- Bullying and harassment
- Stealing
- Physical or verbal abuse
- Vandalism
As schools nationwide continue to adopt zero-tolerance policies for various forms of misconduct, it's important to understand how serious a seemingly small situation can get. For instance, school administrators within the Berlin Public School system may hand down the following disciplinary actions:
- Restriction from extracurricular activities
- Immediate removal from class
- Detention
- In-school suspension
- Out-of-school suspension
- Alternative educational placement
- Expulsion
New Hampshire Middle and Elementary School Academic Progression Issues
Although middle and elementary school students risk discipline for disregarding rules regulating academic integrity and ethical behavior on campus, they can also be penalized for not progressing through the curriculum quickly enough.
For younger students, social behavior is often used to determine if a student can progress to a higher grade. For example, Barrington Middle School's purpose is to "educate the whole child with equal attention to academic, social-emotional, and physical development. Therefore, student's behavior and attitude will be considered when assessing progression. Yet, advancement through grades until graduation is heavily dependent on academics. Typical requirements for progression in New Hampshire schools can include a number of credit hours earned per year, state-sponsored standardized tests, and class exams.
New Hampshire Middle and Elementary School Disability Issues
Students in New Hampshire schools may also face obstacles in obtaining disability accommodations. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act mandates a free, appropriate education for all students and the opportunity to gain reasonable accommodations to graduate with a diploma. For students with disabilities, schools must maintain an Individualized Education Program (IEP) that outlines variations to the curriculum or school environment needed to support a student's success. If a student with an IEP or diagnosed disability faces disciplinary action, IDEA requires school officials to conduct a manifestation determination to assess the student's academic progression, behavioral development, or other IEP goals.
New Hampshire aligns with federal law in offering services to students with disabilities until their 22nd birthday. However, accommodations are only given to a select number of qualifying disabilities like the following:
- Emotional or learning disabilities
- Orthopedic impairments
- Speech, language, hearing, or visual impairments
- Traumatic brain injury victims
- Other function-related disabilities, such as Autism Spectrum Disorder and Attention Deficit Disorder
Legally-required accommodations include alternative class schedules, additional programs and devices, classroom modifications, counseling, and other aids and services. But sometimes schools fail to recognize the potential for disabilities, leaving students without the help they need and are obligated to have. Not only can that hinder academic performance, but it can also cause behavioral problems that make students vulnerable to school discipline.
New Hampshire Student Defense Services
If your child is facing any of the above circumstances, the Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team stands ready to navigate the situation by your side and ensure your child is given due process. They will champion your student's right to informal settlement discussions, fair hearings and appeals, reasonable accommodations, and equal access to education.
Additionally, the nationwide Lento Law Firm can engage in discussions with school administrators and district supervisory staff, including the school's Office of General Counsel, to arrange alternative settlements before formal proceedings commence.
The Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team is available in every area of New Hampshire, including each of the state's ten counties:
- Coos County
- Grafton County
- Carroll County
- Sullivan County
- Belknap County
- Merrimack County
- Strafford County
- Cheshire County
- Hillsborough County
- Rockingham County
No matter your location in New Hampshire, retain the Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team to help your middle or elementary school students with their education accommodations, academic progression, or disciplinary challenges. Call 888-535-3686 or go online now.
