Middle and elementary schools in the District of Columbia work to support positive student experiences, promoting academic and social success. Throughout their years in public, private, or charter PK-12 education, students will face challenges regarding academics, adhering to a school's conduct standards, and obtaining accommodations for equal access. Even though parents may think schools will be forgiving to their young children when mistakes are made, that does not mean students can be suspended or expelled.
Struggling to meet academic requirements, misconduct allegations, and failure to obtain support services are just a few of the many reasons your middle or elementary school student can get left behind. When a District of Columbia school threatens your student's future, the Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team is prepared to help. Our nationwide team will explain how schools manage misconduct, enforce academic rules, and grant educational accommodations. Call us today at 888-535-3686 or submit your details online, and the Lento Law Firm will contact you.
District of Columbia Middle and Elementary Education Issues
The District of Columbia is home to numerous private K-12 schools and two school districts: District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS)—managed by the DC State Board of Education—and District of Columbia Public Charter Schools (DCPCS)—managed by its own seven-member board.
At the beginning of each school year, students and parents will receive and sign off on their school's code of conduct—located in the student or student-parent handbook. Each code of conduct will detail how a school maintains academic integrity and manages behavioral issues. While District of Columbia schools may vary slightly in their approach to student conduct standards, all middle and elementary schools have similar policies and procedures.
District of Columbia Middle and Elementary School Academic Misconduct Charges
All middle and elementary schools in DCPS will adopt the same standards in regard to holding students accountable through academic integrity policies. The system states that academic dishonesty is "any conduct that unfairly influences academic outcomes," and it cites the following as examples:
- Plagiarism: The "adoption or reproduction of ideas, words, or statements of another" without proper acknowledgment.
- Cheating: Any attempt to seek or receive unauthorized assistance with an assignment or exam.
- Deception: Students that give "false information to instructional staff."
- Fabrication: the act of "altering data, information, and documents affecting any student's academic record" or other falsifying documents or assignments.
- Sabotage: "Creating situations to prevent others from completing their work."
- Unauthorized Access: Any act committed by a student without prior approval.
In DCPS middle and elementary schools, academic dishonesty is typically a Tier III infraction—roughly in the middle of the ranking that goes from Tier I (least severe) to Tier V (most severe). Although it may be unlikely for a student to be expelled for a first-time offense, persistent Tier III behavior can quickly lead to a separation from the school.
District of Columbia Middle and Elementary School Behavioral Misconduct Charges
Tiered systems of ranking rule infractions are also present in DCPCS schools and are used in more than academic misconduct charges. All schools in the District of Columbia will have rules regulating much of the student experience outside academics.
For instance, Meridian PCS—like other DCPCS schools—consider the following as prohibitive behavior:
- Tier I: Tardiness, making excessive noise in the classroom, uniform violations, throwing objects in class, and deliberate classroom disruption.
- Tier II: Noncompliance with school rules or staff instructions, disrespectful comments, skipping class, unauthorized cellphone use, and participating in a food fight.
- Tier III: Verbal threats, causing major disruptions, bullying, fighting with minimal injury, gambling, stealing, and sharing inappropriate photos or videos.
- Tier IV: Assault, activating a false alarm, possession of a weapon, engaging in sexual acts on school premises, lewdness, and tampering with school documents.
As schools nationwide move toward harsher policies regulating student behavior, parents must understand how serious a small situation can get. Moreover, disciplinary action in any grade will follow the student until graduation.
District of Columbia Middle and Elementary School Academic Progression Issues
Although middle and elementary school students risk discipline for breaching academic integrity and behavioral guidelines, they can also face challenges progressing academically at a rate pre-determined by the school system. DCPS schools refer to requirements promotion or retention standards, which include the following for all middle and elementary schools:
- Receive at least proficient marks in core subjects and achieve the goals of the intervention learning plan where applicable.
- Comply with the system's attendance policy.
The above stipulations may seem easy enough to follow, but sometimes, students have unforeseen circumstances, from information retention issues to a family member's illness. Unfortunately, if students are required to do extra work to remain aligned with promotion standards, it can often place excessive pressure on current struggles.
District of Columbia Middle and Elementary School Disability Issues
Students in District of Columbia schools may also face obstacles with gaining disability accommodations they need. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) grants students the right to an Individualized Education Program. IEPs outline individual alterations to the school environment and curriculum needed for a student to have equal access to a free, appropriate education. However, reasonable accommodations are only given to a select number of qualifying disabilities under IDEA, such as the following:
- Learning and emotional disabilities
- Physical or mobility impairments
- Sensory challenges
- Other function-related disabilities
Reasonable accommodations under IDEA may include different seating assignments, physical aids, individualized classroom services, therapies, and other support systems. However, District of Columbia middle and elementary schools can sometimes fail to recognize a student's disability—despite being legally required to do so. Unfortunately, it can quickly derail a student's academic endeavors or even cause behavioral issues that can lead to harsh discipline.
District of Columbia Student Defense Services
If your child is in a DCPS, DCPCS, or other private school facing any of the aforementioned circumstances, the Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team is prepared to help. We will defend your child's right to remain in school whether academic or behavioral misconduct allegations threaten them or if they lack legally required accommodations to learn. The nationwide Lento Law Firm can also broker with school administrators or a system's Office of General Counsel to settle issues informally.
Don't let your child fall behind from unfair standards or threats of harsh discipline—the Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team is available. We assist parents and defend students in DCPS, DCPCS, and private schools around the nation's capital. Retain the Lento Law Firm to help your middle or elementary school students by calling 888-535-3686 or going online now.
