Ohio Middle and Elementary Education Issues
From the moment your child enters Kindergarten, they embark on a journey that will lay the foundation for their future success. Parents in Ohio understand how important elementary and middle school are to their child's education, social development, and self-esteem. Sometimes students can encounter obstacles that disrupt this crucial phase of their lives. These challenges can have long-lasting repercussions that can affect them well into the future. If someone has accused your child of misconduct, is failing to progress academically, is not getting the support they need, or is otherwise in conflict with their school, there are resources available to help you get back on track. It's time to fight for your child's rights today so they can be successful in the future.
Ohio Middle and Elementary School Academic Misconduct Charges
Ohio Middle and Elementary School Academic Misconduct Charges
Schools can bring academic misconduct charges against even young students, as per Ohio Education Code Section 3313. This section allows elementary and middle schools to establish disciplinary rules and procedures for various forms of academic dishonesty, such as cheating and plagiarism. It also permits schools to take action against students who disrupt school activities or disobey school instructors or officials. Possible disciplinary measures include suspension, dismissal, or other forms of punishment.
Specifically, the Columbus City School District's Mifflin Middle School maintains a student handbook that threatens students found guilty of cheating or plagiarism with “disciplinary action including detention, suspension, or expulsion.”
Ohio Middle and Elementary School Behavioral Misconduct Charges
Ohio students also face behavioral misconduct charges. Ohio Education Code Section 3313.951 states that schools from Kindergarten to 12th grade are to provide a safe learning environment. Ohio Education Code Section 3313.66 further authorizes elementary and middle school officials to discipline students with suspension or expulsion for actions such as bringing weapons or drugs to school, bullying, fighting, committing assault, and other actions outlined in the Ohio Education Code.
Ohio's Legislative Service Commission's Ohio Laws & Administrative Rules Section 3313.534 of the Revised Code, for example, has a zero-tolerance policy for “violent, disruptive, or inappropriate behavior.” Furthermore, section 3314.02 of the Revised Code also establishes that each of the big eight school districts in the state “shall establish under section 3313.533 of the Revised Code at least one alternative school to meet the educational needs of students with severe discipline problems, including, but not limited to, excessive disruption in the classroom and multiple suspensions or expulsions.”
Ohio Middle and Elementary School Academic Progression Issues
Ohio Education Code Section 3302.04 failure among its many grounds on which a middle or elementary school may suspend, dismiss, or otherwise discipline a student. It includes actions that contribute to a failure to progress, such as truancy, excessive absences, and tardiness.
For example, Columbus City School District's Mifflin Middle School maintains a student handbook that states, “We believe all students can behave appropriately in our school. We will not tolerate any student who is attempting to prevent us from teaching or preventing any other student from learning. Compliance with the standards of conduct is mandatory.” Students who fail to meet these expected standards of behavior “will be held accountable for his or her behavior.”
Actions the school may employ include in-school restrictions, emergency removal from class, detentions, exclusion from activities and programs, out-of-school suspension, and expulsion from the school. “Other options may be used if they are deemed more appropriate. The maturity of the student will be considered when dealing with disciplinary action,” the handbook states.
Ohio Middle and Elementary School Disability Issues
Ohio must also provide disability accommodations as required by state and federal law. Like other states, Ohio must comply with the U.S. Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), which requires elementary and middle schools to provide free appropriate public education (FAPE). Under federal and state law, Ohio schools must maintain an Individualized Education Program (IEP) for students with disabilities.
The Ohio Department of Education maintains an Office for Exceptional Children that supports school districts and other entities that provide "differentiated instruction for students with disabilities and gifted students." Public schools must provide disability accommodations, such as modified class schedules, readers or note-takers, assistive devices, modified lighting or sound protection, and counseling, among other services. In circumstances where a student under an IEP faces disciplinary action for alleged misconduct, federal law requires the school conduct to hold a manifestation determination — a meeting with the parents and school staff to review the child's behavior. The adjudication process requires these meetings to take place.
Ohio Education Attorney Advisor Services
If your elementary or middle school student faces challenges at school, the Lento Law Firm can help. Attorney Joseph D. Lento's Education Law Team can provide you with legal assistance to ensure that your student is treated fairly under Ohio laws and school procedures.
Attorney Joseph D. Lento and the Education Law Team can assess the school's charges against your child, evaluate your student's procedural rights, and develop a strategic plan to exonerate or mitigate any evidence the school has against your child. Your attorney may review the school's procedures for informal resolution conferences, the evidence against your child, and practices for fair hearings and appeals.
If necessary, your attorney-advisor may negotiate with school and district officials for alternative special relief or research, brief, and argue federal and state laws and regulations that advise or mandate your student's special rights and relief.
Where the Lento Law Firm Can Help
The Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team represents and defends elementary and middle school students across the country, including throughout Ohio. The experienced attorney advisors on the Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team can represent your elementary or middle school student throughout Ohio.
Ohio currently has approximately 700 school districts. The Ohio Department of Education oversees the Ohio State Board of Education, which provides oversight for primary and secondary public schools. Ohio public schools serve approximately 1.6 million students. Ohio community schools, also known as charter schools, serve as their own independent district.
Student Defense in Ohio's Big 8
Ohio's Big 8 refers to a group of eight of the largest urban school districts in the state, serving some of the most populated areas in Ohio. The Big 8 districts include:
- Akron Public Schools
- Canton City Schools
- Cincinnati Public Schools
- Cleveland Metropolitan School District
- Columbus City Schools
- Dayton Public Schools
- Toledo Public Schools
- Youngstown City Schools
These school districts serve a diverse population of students and have historically struggled with low academic achievement, high dropout rates, and difficulty retaining highly qualified teachers. In recent years, many of the Big 8 districts have made significant strides in improving student achievement, but challenges remain, and often students get left in the lurch.
All students in Ohio deserve access to high-quality educational opportunities that prepare them for success in high school and future endeavors. The Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team fights for all students facing unjust disciplinary action.
Student Defense in Ohio's Largest School Districts
Many of the larger middle schools (often combined with high schools) are located in other cities. The largest middle schools in Ohio include Walnut Hills Middle School in Cincinnati, Glenoak Middle School in Canton, Jackson High School in Massillon, North Ridgeville Academic Center in North Ridgeville, and Riverside Junior High School in Painesville.
The same is true with Ohio elementary schools. The largest elementary schools in Ohio include Glenoak Elementary in Canton, Mason Early Childhood Center Elementary School in Mason, North Ridgeville Academic Center in North Ridgeville, West Clermont Elementary School in Batavia, and Berea-Midpark Elementary in Cleveland.
The Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team represents students in middle and elementary schools across Ohio.
Premier Ohio Education Attorney Advisors
Regardless of where your child attends elementary or middle school in Ohio, the Lento Law Firm's experienced Education Law Team and national education attorney advisor Joseph D. Lento are available to help your middle or elementary school student with their school challenges. Call 888.535.3686 or go online now for experienced attorney advisor defense in Ohio.
