This paper examines the case law that deals with the issuance of student grades, and reviews most of the reported cases dealing with the lowering of students' grades for non-academic misconduct and the use of grades to exclude students from school. School officials have been known to act arbitrarily when issuing grades to students. It is…

This chapter's discussion of student discipline stresses a student's right to due process when he or she is faced with suspension or expulsion from school. To determine procedural requirements, the paper states, a school must examine both the statutes of the state and the requirements imposed by state and federal constitutions. The major topic of…

The research reported is a descriptive normative survey utilizing the data available from the required quarterly reporting of the high school districts in Cook County. In suburban Cook County there are 27 secondary school districts and two unit districts, including Chicago. The 28 suburban secondary school districts are comprised of 68 high school…

Discusses successful strategies for preventing Black students from leaving school before graduation. Argues that the best solution to this complex problem is to ensure that Black children learn the necessary academic and cognitive skills in school before proceeding to the next grade level. (FMW)

The "Code of Virginia" (Section 22.1-279.3:1) requires school divisions statewide to submit data annually to the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) on incidents of discipline, crime, and violence (DCV). School divisions began reporting data on discipline, crime, and violence to the VDOE in 1991. The federal "Gun-Free Schools…

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) of 2004 established a requirement that all states develop and submit to the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) a performance plan designed to advance the state from its current level of compliance with the statutory and regulatory requirements of the law…

The law has developed extensive rights and procedural safeguards that allow for the removal of overly disruptive and dangerous students while also protecting students from arbitrary and wrongful disciplinary action. This report describes New Jersey legislation intended to support fairness in discipline. Part 1 examines: sources of authority for…

The true expense, in cash terms, of exclusion from school in England is investigated. Data were gathered in six English local education authorities (LEAs): two in London, two metropolitan authorities, and two country authorities. Permanent exclusion is a matter of concern to the Commission for Racial Equality because some ethnic minorities are…

Much of this brief comes from the ERIC Digest on Zero Tolerance Policies (ERIC #: ED451579). State legislatures and school boards are adopting a growing number of zero-tolerance polices toward weapons, guns, and violence. Zero-tolerance polices are rules intended to address specific school-safety issues. Despite the controversies that it has…

The ways in which British Afro-Caribbean students used resistance or contestation to negotiate teacher-student power relations are illustrated, using data from an ethnographic study of school exclusions in five English secondary schools. Situated in their wider racial and gendered positions, students' resistance was a response to their experience…

Zero-tolerance policies have had no appreciable effect on reducing violence, have had an adverse effect on African American students, and are receiving mixed reactions in the courts. Effective solutions are seen as improving overall school climate to guide school operations related to student discipline. (Contains 13 references.) (MLF)

Reviews trends in numbers of students excluded from school in England because of behavior problems, illustrating that permanent exclusions are rising. Proposes that causes for exclusion are psychosocial problems, family and social problems, stretched educational resources, and a cultural response to alienated and alienating behavior. Suggests…

Theories under which college students have challenged academic dismissals are examined, the standard courts apply when examining challenges is explored, and a case in which relief was denied a student challenging a test grade is discussed. Conflict between an institution's academic freedom and a student's due-process rights is considered. (MSE)

Using accelerating exclusion rates from one British local education authority shows that some children--particularly certain adolescents--are becoming scapegoats of systemic failure. By being excluded, these children are deprived of their rights to education and proper attention to their emotional and behavioral needs. Responsible parties must…

A question-and-answer format is used to summarize requirements concerning suspension and expulsion of students with disabilities under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Amendments of 1997. Questions address definitions, due process rights, suspension and expulsion as a "change of placement," the Interim Alternative…