Oregon Middle and Elementary Education Issues
Your child's experience in school is crucial for their future success, self-esteem, social development, and work ethic. All students experience challenges that can disrupt their school – and personal – lives. If your child's school accuses them of behavioral or academic misconduct, or you feel your child is not getting the support they need at school, an attorney can help. Call Lento Law Firm today at 888-535-3686 for help.
Oregon Middle and Elementary School Academic Misconduct Charges
All students in Oregon are subject to disciplinary action if they are caught violating their school's academic integrity rules. Under the Oregon Education Code, elementary and middle school administrators have the power to create – and implement – disciplinary procedures.
Moreover, if the school believes the student's behavior disrupted school activities or the student defied the instructors or school officials, the code allows the school to suspend, dismiss, or otherwise punish the student. For instance, in the Lake County Education Service District, if a student is found plagiarizing or cheating on an exam or assignment, the student will either not receive credit on the assignment, have their grade reduced, or receive detention or in-school suspension.
Oregon Middle and Elementary School Behavioral Misconduct Charges
Other issues Oregon elementary and middle school students might face include behavioral misconduct, such as being disobedient, possessing tobacco, alcohol, drugs, or other controlled substances, or using profane or obscene language. The goal of the Oregon school system is to create safe learning environments. As such, they have given schools the authority to suspend or expel students they catch misbehaving.
For instance, the Arlington School District 3 states that students can be suspended for up to 10 school days if their conduct falls into one of the categories below:
- Purposely violating school rules.
- Behaving in a way that materially and substantially disrupts the rights other students have to an education.
- Acting in a way that endangers another student, themselves, or school staff.
- Behaving in a way that endangers school property.
Oregon Middle and Elementary School Academic Progression Issues
Despite the fact that middle and elementary school students have really just started their educational careers, they can still be punished for not progressing through their academics on time. For instance, if a student is not able to complete their coursework and assignments or pass exams on time, they will most likely be prevented from moving up to the next grade. Furthermore, according to the Oregon Education Code, the school has the power to remove the student to an alternative education setting if the issue persists.
The Falls City School District #57, for instance, created a school-wide Positive Behavior Interventions & Supports (PBIS) program, which seeks to maintain a positive school environment by creating and sustaining primary, secondary, and tertiary support systems for students.
Oregon Middle and Elementary School Disability Issues
Other issues elementary and middle school students in Oregon experience include receiving disability accommodations. Under state and federal law, all school districts must comply with the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The IDEA requires elementary and middle schools to offer free appropriate public education (FAPEs) to all students. If a student has a disability, the school district must implement and maintain an Individualized Education Program (IEP).
According to the Oregon Department of Education, all districts must provide students with a FAPE in the least restrictive environment. To ensure students are in the least restrictive environment, the school district must create an IEP for the student. The IEP will include the student's specific educational needs, including any reasonable accommodations to achieve those needs. Examples of such accommodations might be screen readers, note-takers, access to noise-canceling headphones or earplugs, or even just the ability to sit right in front of the teacher.
If a student with an IEP is accused of misconduct, federal law mandates that the school must take specific steps to adjudicate the issue. This procedure is called a manifestation determination, and an attorney will be able to help you navigate it without feeling overwhelmed.
Oregon Education Attorney Services
Working with an attorney throughout this process is the only way to ensure your child is getting the best possible outcome for their case. When students are accused of misconduct, whether they have an IEP or not, Lento Law Firm's Education Law Team can help.
Your attorney will begin by gathering your side of the story, interviewing witnesses, and searching for relevant evidence to mitigate any unnecessarily harsh consequences your child might experience. For example, suspensions and expulsions can wreak havoc on a student's academic life, as well as their social life. Being left behind at the end of the year can greatly diminish their self-esteem and lead to future issues.
The Lento Law Firm Education Law Team will work diligently with your child's best interest in mind.
Where the Lento Law Firm Can Help
The Lento Law Firm's Education Law Team defends middle and elementary school students facing disciplinary action all over the country and throughout Oregon.
Student Defense in Northwest Oregon School Districts
Whether your student attends a middle or elementary school in Clackamas, Clatsop, Columbia, Multnomah, Tillamook, Washington, or Yamhill school district, The Lento Law Firm Student Defense Team can help.
Student Defense in Western Oregon School Districts
In addition to defending students at schools in the northwest region of Oregon, Lento Law Firm can also help students in the western region. The western region includes the following districts: Benton, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Marion, and Polk.
Student Defense in Southern Oregon School Districts
In the southern region of Oregon, the Lento Law Firm can defend students in any of the following school districts: Coos, Curry, Douglas, Jackson, Josephine, and Klamath.
Student Defense in Central Oregon School Districts
The Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team is also available across Central Oregon, including the Crook, Deschutes, Harney, Jefferson, Lake, and Wheeler school districts.
Student Defense in Eastern Oregon School Districts
In eastern Oregon, Lento Law Firm is available to help middle and elementary school students in the Baker, Gilliam, Grant, Hood River, Malheur, Morrow, Sherman, Union, Umatilla, Wallowa, and Wasco school districts.
Premier Oregon Education Attorney
The Lento Law Firm Education Law Team knows how difficult these matters can be for families. That's why they have made defending students their main focus. No matter where you are in Oregon or whether your school specifies that you cannot have a lawyer present, the Education Law Team can help. Call 888-535-3686 or schedule your consultation online today.
