Questionnaires were sent to 50 state agencies to investigate the legal status of suspension and expulsion procedures for emotionally handicapped or behaviorally disordered students. Among findings were that of the 26 responding states, nine states reported procedures specifically designed for disciplinary action for emotionally handicapped…

Notes that expulsion and suspension are incompatible with the goals of P.L. 94-142 and, therefore, are not available to schools as a discipline measure for special students. Outlines options the schools can create to deal with disruptive handicapped students. (IRT)

Handicapped children are not immune from a school's disciplinary rules but such children may have additional protection under Public Law 94-142. (Author/IRT)

Making K-12 public school attendance voluntary will improve school climate and eliminate the need for school choice. A better system of financial allocations based on enrollment is critical. (SK)

The 1997 Individuals with Disabilities Education Act amendments offered a welcome shield for disabled students who found themselves unfairly disciplined within their school placements. Highlights the disagreements that continue over the bill's interpretation, and the fight by advocates for the disabled to limit unreasonable suspensions and…

This article presents the findings of an exploratory study designed to look at the issue of removal of children from childcare due to behavior problems. A survey was sent to a random sample of nonresidential licensed day care centers (DCCs) in Texas. Results from the survey indicate that 50% of DCCs have removed a child from care due to behavior…

Several years ago, the people of Middletown made young children a priority by forming a coalition called Opportunity Knocks. A school-community partnership, Opportunity Knocks includes representatives from local health and social service agencies, early childhood educators, and families, all committed to improving the health and well-being of…

Surveys were sent to large public school systems to determine the number that suspend and/or expel handicapped students. Analysis of the 106 returned questionnaires revealed that over 97% (103) suspend handicapped students, with 61 using both in-school and out-of-school suspensions, 36 using only out-of-school suspensions, and six using only…

The report describes how students eliminated from undergraduate pilot training (UPT) perceived the circumstances leading to their elimination. Personal interviews were held with 117 students eliminated from UPT. The data obtained were organized on the basis of the official cause of elimination. The frequencies of problems or factors perceived as…

Cuyahoga Community College (Ohio) conducted this statistical study of community-junior colleges' academic policy concerning the elimination of academic dismissal and failing grades. To obtain data, a sample of 100 institutions was selected from the 698 regionally accredited junior colleges. Percentage representation in the sample was based on the…

Five principals outline their decision-making processes, which include concerns over timing and process, teachers' well-being, deciding how to decide, student expulsion, and problem identification. (MD)

This report examines the effects of increasing retention standards on the percentage of students on student academic probation, suspension, persistence, and graduation rates for students in the Oklahoma State System of higher education. The State Regents adopted higher student retention standards between 1991 and 1993. The standards increased…

A statement of policy which emphasizes due process but focuses discussion on the expulsion itself. (Author)

Provides advice from a legal standpoint on discipline procedures for special education students. (WD)