The school has asked me to withdraw my student because of their grades.

Your Rights:

A student has a right to a FREE APPROPRIATE PUBLIC EDUCATION. In general, this means that a student has a right to enroll and remain enrolled in ANY charter or district school regardless of disability, race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or income.

Common Push Out Practices:

Schools often meet with families to convince them to leave the school. The school might suggest that the school "is not a good fit," "has a too rigorous curriculum," or that the student "would be more successful elsewhere." Because schools are graded on academic performance, they often try to remove lower performing students.

Suggested Questions and Responses:

It is a school's responsibility to make sure EVERY child succeeds.

If your child has been more successful in the past, let the teacher/school know what worked. Teachers and schools are often just looking for solutions.

Ask what interventions or accommodations have been made for you student. Work with the teacher/school to find other interventions or accommodations to make positive changes.

Ask about free tutoring or homework help offered by the school.

If your child has struggled for a long time, consider requesting testing for special education services.

Find Out More:

• Free appropriate public education (FAPE): https://www.understood.org/en/school-learning/your-childs-rights/basics-about-childs-rights/at-a-glance-free-and-appropriate-public-education
• 504, IDEA (special education), ADA: http://s.raisingspecialkids.org/504comparisonofsection504withideaandada.pdf?mtime=20150824104020
• Accommodations and Modifications: http://www.pacer.org/parent/php/PHP-c49b.pdf
  Spanish: http://www.pacer.org/parent/php/PHP-c49s.pdf
• Interventions: https://www.pacer.org/parent/php/php-c215b.pdf
  Spanish: http://www.pacer.org/parent/php/php-c215b(s).pdf
• Signs of learning disabilities:
  https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/learning/conditioninfo/pages/symptoms.aspx
• Request for evaluation: http://www.parentcenterhub.org/wp-content/uploads/repo_items/pa9.pdf
  Spanish: http://www.parentcenterhub.org/carta-evaluacion/
• Freedom of Expression: https://www.aclu.org/other/your-right-free-expression
• Right to Religious Freedom: https://www.aclu.org/other/your-right-religious-freedom
• KYR Encountering the Police https://www.aclu.org/know-your-rights/what-do-when-encountering-police-youth

The school has asked me to withdraw my student because of their attendance.

Your Rights:

A student has a right to a FREE APPROPRIATE PUBLIC EDUCATION. In general, this means that a student has a right to enroll and remain enrolled in ANY charter or district school regardless of disability, race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or income.

*A school may retain a student who has missed more than 10% of instruction time.
*A school may expel a student for excessive truancy of they are 17 or older.

Common Push Out Practices:

Schools often meet with families to convince them to leave the school. The school might suggest that the student may be happier or motivated for school elsewhere. Because schools are graded on and funded by attendance, they often try to remove students with frequent absences.

Suggested Questions and Responses:

It is a school's responsibility to make sure EVERY child succeeds.

If your child has missed school due to a chronic illness or disability, request a 504 plan. This educational plan provides protections against discrimination for the illness or disability and outlines what the school plans to do to accommodate the student's needs. Students who miss school due to documented illness and complete the requirements of the course can not be retained.

If your child has missed school because they are unmotivated, talk to your student about what they are avoiding. Consider that it might be particular students, teachers or even a subject. Communicate the information back to the school to come up with interventions that could improve the situation.

Sometimes a student is unmotivated to go to school because they do not feel successful. If your child has struggled for a long time, consider requesting testing for special education services.

If your student has missed school for religious reasons, communicate with the school about appropriate accommodations that can be made.

Find Out More:

• Free appropriate public education (FAPE): https://www.understood.org/en/school-learning/your-childs-rights/basics-about-childs-rights/at-a-glance-free-and-appropriate-public-education
• 504, IDEA (special education), ADA: http://s.raisingspecialkids.org/504comparisonofsection504withideaandada.pdf?mtime=20150824104020
• Accommodations and Modifications: http://www.pacer.org/parent/php/PHP-c49b.pdf
  Spanish: http://www.pacer.org/parent/php/PHP-c49s.pdf
• Interventions: https://www.pacer.org/parent/php/php-c215b.pdf
  Spanish: http://www.pacer.org/parent/php/php-c215b(s).pdf
• Signs of learning disabilities:
  https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/learning/conditioninfo/pages/symptoms.aspx
• Request for evaluation: http://www.parentcenterhub.org/wp-content/uploads/repo_items/pa9.pdf
  Spanish: http://www.parentcenterhub.org/carta-evaluacion/
• Freedom of Expression: https://www.aclu.org/other/your-right-free-expression
• Right to Religious Freedom: https://www.aclu.org/other/your-right-religious-freedom
• KYR Encountering the Police https://www.aclu.org/know-your-rights/what-do-when-encountering-police-youth

The school has asked me to withdraw my student to avoid suspension/expulsion.

Your Rights:

A student has a right to a FREE APPROPRIATE PUBLIC EDUCATION. In general, this means that a student has a right to enroll and remain enrolled in ANY charter or district school regardless of disability, race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or income.
*A charter or district school may deny enrollment to a student that has been expelled from a school.
*Before an expulsion or suspension of more than ten consecutive days, a student has a right to hearing.

Common Push Out Practices:

Schools might treat students of a particular group differently.

Schools might use a strategy of excessively disciplining a student to push the student out of school. Multiple suspensions for small infractions could be a sign that the school it trying to push your student out.

Schools often meet with families to convince them to leave the school. The school might suggest that the student "would be more successful elsewhere" or that the student will continue to be in trouble or even expelled if they stay. Schools do not have any incentive to keep kids that need extra time and attention.

Because expulsion requires extra documentation and a hearing before the board, many schools convince families to leave rather than going through the process.

Suggested Questions and Responses:

It is a school's responsibility to make sure EVERY child succeeds.

Suspensions and expulsion can have long-term effects on student success.

Students of color, English language learners, and students with disabilities are disproportionately disciplined. Inform yourself, and the school about bias.

Carefully read the student policies regarding the rules that are said to have been broken as well the policies about suspension and expulsion.

Ask if other students have had similar incidents previously and how they were handled.

Request the school provide any and all documentation regarding to the student's discipline record.

Ask the school about interventions that can be used to improve student success.

Request the school use alternatives to suspension. (The school is required to have an "alternatives to suspension" program.)

Often, misbehavior happens because a student is struggling to learn. If your child has struggled for a long time, consider requesting testing for special education services.

If your student has a 504 plan or an IEP, request documentation on the accommodations that have been provided. **Specific laws apply to suspension and expulsion of students enrolled in special education. In general, students should not be excessively disciplined for behavior caused by their disability.

Find Out More:

• Free appropriate public education (FAPE): https://www.understood.org/en/school-learning/your-childs-rights/basics-about-childs-rights/at-a-glance-free-and-appropriate-public-education
• Bias in school discipline: https://thinkprogress.org/new-data-shows-the-school-to-prison-pipeline-starts-as-early-as-preschool-80fc1c3e85be
• Gender bias for minorities: https://nwlc.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/final_nwlc_NOVO2016Toolkit.pdf
• Alternatives to suspension: https://law.duke.edu/childedlaw/schooldiscipline/downloads/instead_of_suspension.pdf
• Accommodations and Modifications: http://www.pacer.org/parent/php/PHP-c49b.pdf
  Spanish: http://www.pacer.org/parent/php/PHP-c49s.pdf
• Interventions: https://www.pacer.org/parent/php/php-c215b.pdf
  Spanish: http://www.pacer.org/parent/php/php-c215b(s).pdf
• Freedom of Expression: https://www.aclu.org/other/your-right-free-expression
• Right to Religious Freedom: https://www.aclu.org/other/your-right-religious-freedom
• KYR Encountering the Police https://www.aclu.org/know-your-rights/what-do-when-encountering-police-youth
• Signs of learning disabilities:
  https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/learning/conditioninfo/pages/symptoms.aspx
Discipline for the Special Education student: link Written request for special education testing

The school has asked me to pay for books/fees/deposits.

Your Rights:

A student has a right to a FREE APPROPRIATE PUBLIC EDUCATION. In general, this means that a student has a right to enroll and remain enrolled in ANY charter or district school regardless of disability, race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or income.

Transcripts, discipline records, attendance records, and Special Education documents should not be requested until after enrollment. The school should not ask for proof of citizenship, social security number, or money.

Common Push Out Practices:

Many charter schools use confusing language to suggest you must pay to register, attend, or purchase items. Public education is FREE. While it is normal for the school to request classroom supplies such as tissues and glue to offset expenses, students can not be required to purchase or pay for anything. A school is required to provide books, supplies and uniforms to students in need.

Many schools use this strategy to keep students in need from attending their schools. Families willing to pay fees are more likely to donate in other ways and their students are less likely to need school resources. This contributes to segregation in schools.

Suggested Questions and Responses:

A school can charge for optional services and supplies. If the school requests payment for fees, required books or supplies, feel free to tell them NO.

This should not discourage you from donating to a school that you would like to support.

Find Out More:

• Free appropriate public education (FAPE): https://www.understood.org/en/school-learning/your-childs-rights/basics-about-childs-rights/at-a-glance-free-and-appropriate-public-education
• Freedom of Expression: https://www.aclu.org/other/your-right-free-expression
• Right to Religious Freedom: https://www.aclu.org/other/your-right-religious-freedom
• KYR Encountering the Police https://www.aclu.org/know-your-rights/what-do-when-encountering-police-youth

My student has been suspended.

Your Rights:

The school may suspend a student according to the written policy and precedent set in similar incidents.

The school must provide a hearing according to their policy for a student with a suspension of more than 10 days.

Common Push Out Practices:

Schools might treat students of a particular group differently.

Schools might use a strategy of suspending students to push the burden of discipline on to the parent. Multiple suspensions for small infractions could be a sign that the school it trying to push a student out.

Schools often meet with families to convince them to leave the school. The school might suggest that the student "would be more successful elsewhere" or that the student will continue to be in trouble or even expelled if they stay. Schools do not have any incentive to keep kids that need extra time and attention.

Suggested Questions and Responses:

It is a school's responsibility to make sure EVERY child succeeds.

Suspensions and expulsion can have long-term effects on student success.

Inform yourself, and the school about racial bias.

Carefully read the student policies regarding the rules that are said to have been broken as well the policies about suspension and expulsion.

Ask if other students have had similar incidents previously and how they were handled.

Request the school provide any and all documentation regarding to the student's discipline record. Ask the school about interventions that can be used to improve student success.

Request the school use alternatives to suspension. (The school is required to have an "alternatives to suspension" program.)

Often, misbehavior happens because a student is struggling to learn. If your child has struggled for a long time, consider requesting testing for special education services. If your student has a 504 plan or an IEP, request documentation on the accommodations that have been provided. **Specific laws apply to suspension and expulsion of students enrolled in special education.

Find Out More:

• Free appropriate public education (FAPE): https://www.understood.org/en/school-learning/your-childs-rights/basics-about-childs-rights/at-a-glance-free-and-appropriate-public-education
• Alternatives to suspension: https://law.duke.edu/childedlaw/schooldiscipline/downloads/instead_of_suspension.pdf
• Bias in school discipline: https://thinkprogress.org/new-data-shows-the-school-to-prison-pipeline-starts-as-early-as-preschool-80fc1c3e85be
• Gender bias for minorities: https://nwlc.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/final_nwlc_NOVO2016Toolkit.pdf
• Accommodations and Modifications: http://www.pacer.org/parent/php/PHP-c49b.pdf
  Spanish: http://www.pacer.org/parent/php/PHP-c49s.pdf
• Interventions: https://www.pacer.org/parent/php/php-c215b.pdf
  Spanish: http://www.pacer.org/parent/php/php-c215b(s).pdf
• Request for evaluation: http://www.parentcenterhub.org/wp-content/uploads/repo_items/pa9.pdf
  Spanish: http://www.parentcenterhub.org/carta-evaluacion/
• Freedom of Expression: https://www.aclu.org/other/your-right-free-expression
• Right to Religious Freedom: https://www.aclu.org/other/your-right-religious-freedom
• KYR Encountering the Police https://www.aclu.org/know-your-rights/what-do-when-encountering-police-youth

My student has been expelled/has an expulsion hearing.

Your Rights:

Schools must treat students without discrimination regardless of race, disability, religion, gender, or sexual orientation.

The school may suspend or expel a student according to the written policy and precedent set in similar incidents.

The school must provide a hearing according to their policy for a student who has been suspended for more than 10 days or has been recommended for expulsion.

Common Push Out Practices:

Schools might treat students of a particular group differently.

Schools might use a strategy of threatening to expel students to push the student out of the school. Schools do not have any incentive to keep kids that need extra time and attention.

Because expulsion requires extra documentation and a hearing before the board, many schools convince families to leave rather than going through the process.

Suggested Questions and Responses:

It is a school's responsibility to make sure EVERY child succeeds.

Suspensions and expulsion can have long-term effects on student success.

Students of color, English language learners, and students with disabilities are disproportionately disciplined. Inform yourself, and the school about bias.

Carefully read the student policies regarding the rules that are said to have been broken as well the policies about suspension and expulsion.

Ask if other students have had similar incidents previously and how they were handled.

Request the school provide any and all documentation regarding to the student's discipline record.

Ask the school about interventions that can be used to improve student success.

Request the school use alternatives to suspension. (The school is required to have an "alternatives to suspension" program.)

Often, misbehavior happens because a student is struggling to learn. If your child has struggled for a long time, consider requesting testing for special education services.

If your student has a 504 plan or an IEP, request documentation on the accommodations that have been provided. **Specific laws apply to suspension and expulsion of students enrolled in special education. In general, students should not be excessively disciplined for behavior caused by their disability.

Find Out More:

• Free appropriate public education (FAPE): https://www.understood.org/en/school-learning/your-childs-rights/basics-about-childs-rights/at-a-glance-free-and-appropriate-public-education
• Bias in school discipline: https://thinkprogress.org/new-data-shows-the-school-to-prison-pipeline-starts-as-early-as-preschool-80fc1c3e85be
• Gender bias for minorities: https://nwlc.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/final_nwlc_NOVO2016Toolkit.pdf
• Alternatives to suspension: https://law.duke.edu/childedlaw/schooldiscipline/downloads/instead_of_suspension.pdf
• Accommodations and Modifications: http://www.pacer.org/parent/php/PHP-c49b.pdf
  Spanish: http://www.pacer.org/parent/php/PHP-c49s.pdf
• Interventions: https://www.pacer.org/parent/php/php-c215b.pdf
  Spanish: http://www.pacer.org/parent/php/php-c215b(s).pdf
Discipline for the Special Education student: link
• Freedom of Expression: https://www.aclu.org/other/your-right-free-expression
• Right to Religious Freedom: https://www.aclu.org/other/your-right-religious-freedom
• KYR Encountering the Police https://www.aclu.org/know-your-rights/what-do-when-encountering-police-youth

My student is being treated unfairly.

Your Rights:

Schools must treat students without discrimination regardless of race, disability, religion, gender, or sexual orientation.

The school may suspend or expel a student according to the written policy and precedent set in similar incidents.

The school must provide a hearing according to their policy for a student who has been suspended for more than 10 days or has been recommended for expulsion.

Common Push Out Practices:

Schools might treat students of a particular group differently.

Schools might use a strategy of excessively disciplining a student to push the student out of school. Multiple suspensions for small infractions could be a sign that the school it trying to push your student out.

Schools often meet with families to convince them to leave the school. The school might suggest that the student "would be more successful elsewhere" or that the student will continue to be in trouble or even expelled if they stay. Schools do not have any incentive to keep kids that need extra time and attention.

Suggested Questions and Responses:

It is a school's responsibility to make sure EVERY child succeeds.

Suspensions and expulsion can have long-term effects on student success.

Students of color, English language learners, and students with disabilities are disproportionately disciplined. Inform yourself, and the school about bias.

Carefully read the student policies regarding the rules that are said to have been broken as well the policies about suspension and expulsion.

Ask if other students have had similar incidents previously and how they were handled.

Request the school provide any and all documentation regarding to the student's discipline record.

Ask the school about interventions that can be used to improve student success.

Request the school use alternatives to suspension. (The school is required to have an "alternatives to suspension" program.)

Often, misbehavior happens because a student is struggling to learn. If your child has struggled for a long time, consider requesting testing for special education services.

If your student has a 504 plan or an IEP, request documentation on the accommodations that have been provided. **Specific laws apply to suspension and expulsion of students enrolled in special education. In general, students should not be excessively disciplined for behavior caused by their disability.

Find Out More:

• Free appropriate public education (FAPE): https://www.understood.org/en/school-learning/your-childs-rights/basics-about-childs-rights/at-a-glance-free-and-appropriate-public-education
• Bias in school discipline: https://thinkprogress.org/new-data-shows-the-school-to-prison-pipeline-starts-as-early-as-preschool-80fc1c3e85be
• Gender bias for minorities: https://nwlc.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/final_nwlc_NOVO2016Toolkit.pdf
• Accommodations and Modifications: http://www.pacer.org/parent/php/PHP-c49b.pdf
  Spanish: http://www.pacer.org/parent/php/PHP-c49s.pdf
• Interventions: https://www.pacer.org/parent/php/php-c215b.pdf
  Spanish: http://www.pacer.org/parent/php/php-c215b(s).pdf
• Alternatives to suspension: https://law.duke.edu/childedlaw/schooldiscipline/downloads/instead_of_suspension.pdf
• Signs of learning disabilities:
  https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/learning/conditioninfo/pages/symptoms.aspx
• Request for evaluation: http://www.parentcenterhub.org/wp-content/uploads/repo_items/pa9.pdf
  Spanish: http://www.parentcenterhub.org/carta-evaluacion/
• Freedom of Expression: https://www.aclu.org/other/your-right-free-expression
• Right to Religious Freedom: https://www.aclu.org/other/your-right-religious-freedom
• KYR Encountering the Police https://www.aclu.org/know-your-rights/what-do-when-encountering-police-youth

The school used inappropriate force with my student.

Your Rights:

Schools must treat students without discrimination regardless of race, disability, religion, gender, or sexual orientation.

Trained personnel may use restraint and/or seclusion according to the school policy if the student is an eminent danger and other less restrictive means have failed.

*Specific laws apply to the use of restraint, seclusion, and law enforcement.

Common Push Out Practices:

Schools might treat students of a particular group differently.

Individual school personnel might have used inappropriate force against the school policy.

Schools are sometimes unaware that some of their practices might qualify as restraint or seclusion.

School personnel are sometimes unaware of the policies when calling law enforcement.

Suggested Questions and Responses:

It is a school's responsibility to make sure EVERY child succeeds.

Restraint, seclusion, and corporal punishment can be traumatic to children in school.

Students of color, English language learners, and students with disabilities are disproportionately disciplined. Inform yourself, and the school about bias.

Carefully read the student policies regarding the rules that are said to have been broken as well the policies about restraint, seclusion and corporal punishment.

Ask if other students have had similar incidents previously and how they were handled.

Request the school provide any and all documentation regarding to the student's discipline record. Ask the school about interventions that can be used to improve student success.

Often, misbehavior happens because a student is struggling to learn. If your child has struggled for a long time, consider requesting testing for special education services. If your student has a 504 plan or an IEP, request documentation on the accommodations that have been provided. **Specific laws apply to the discipline of students enrolled in special education.

Find Out More:

• Free appropriate public education (FAPE): https://www.understood.org/en/school-learning/your-childs-rights/basics-about-childs-rights/at-a-glance-free-and-appropriate-public-education
• Bias in school discipline: https://thinkprogress.org/new-data-shows-the-school-to-prison-pipeline-starts-as-early-as-preschool-80fc1c3e85be
• Gender bias for minorities: https://nwlc.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/final_nwlc_NOVO2016Toolkit.pdf
• Accommodations and Modifications: http://www.pacer.org/parent/php/PHP-c49b.pdf
  Spanish: http://www.pacer.org/parent/php/PHP-c49s.pdf
• Interventions: https://www.pacer.org/parent/php/php-c215b.pdf
  Spanish: http://www.pacer.org/parent/php/php-c215b(s).pdf
• Freedom of Expression: https://www.aclu.org/other/your-right-free-expression
• Right to Religious Freedom: https://www.aclu.org/other/your-right-religious-freedom
• KYR Encountering the Police https://www.aclu.org/know-your-rights/what-do-when-encountering-police-youth

My student often spends his/her day in In-School Suspension (ISS).

Your Rights:

Schools must treat students without discrimination regardless of race, disability, religion, gender, or sexual orientation.

The school may discipline a student according to the written policy and precedent set in similar incidents.

Common Push Out Practices:

Schools might treat students of a particular group differently.

Schools might use a strategy of excessively disciplining a student to push the student out of school. Multiple suspensions for small infractions could be a sign that the school it trying to push your student out.

Schools often meet with families to convince them to leave the school. The school might suggest that the student "would be more successful elsewhere" or that the student will continue to be in trouble or even expelled if they stay. Schools do not have any incentive to keep kids that need extra time and attention.

Suggested Questions and Responses:

It is a school's responsibility to make sure EVERY child succeeds.

Suspensions and expulsion can have long-term effects on student success.

Students of color, English language learners, and students with disabilities are disproportionately disciplined. Inform yourself, and the school about bias.

Carefully read the student policies regarding the rules that are said to have been broken as well the policies about suspension and expulsion.

Ask if other students have had similar incidents previously and how they were handled.

Request the school provide any and all documentation regarding to the student's discipline record.

Ask the school about interventions that can be used to improve student success.

Request the school use alternatives to suspension. (The school is required to have an "alternatives to suspension" program.)

Often, misbehavior happens because a student is struggling to learn. If your child has struggled for a long time, consider requesting testing for special education services.

If your student has a 504 plan or an IEP, request documentation on the accommodations that have been provided. **Specific laws apply to suspension and expulsion of students enrolled in special education. In general, students should not be excessively disciplined for behavior caused by their disability.

Find Out More:

• Free appropriate public education (FAPE): https://www.understood.org/en/school-learning/your-childs-rights/basics-about-childs-rights/at-a-glance-free-and-appropriate-public-education
• Bias in school discipline: https://thinkprogress.org/new-data-shows-the-school-to-prison-pipeline-starts-as-early-as-preschool-80fc1c3e85be
• Gender bias for minorities: https://nwlc.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/final_nwlc_NOVO2016Toolkit.pdf
• Alternatives to suspension: https://law.duke.edu/childedlaw/schooldiscipline/downloads/instead_of_suspension.pdf
• Accommodations and Modifications: http://www.pacer.org/parent/php/PHP-c49b.pdf
  Spanish: http://www.pacer.org/parent/php/PHP-c49s.pdf
• Interventions: https://www.pacer.org/parent/php/php-c215b.pdf
  Spanish: http://www.pacer.org/parent/php/php-c215b(s).pdf
• Signs of learning disabilities:
  https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/learning/conditioninfo/pages/symptoms.aspx
• Freedom of Expression: https://www.aclu.org/other/your-right-free-expression
• Right to Religious Freedom: https://www.aclu.org/other/your-right-religious-freedom
• KYR Encountering the Police https://www.aclu.org/know-your-rights/what-do-when-encountering-police-youth

I think my student might have a disability.

Your Rights:

A student has a right to a FREE APPROPRIATE PUBLIC EDUCATION. In general, this means that a student has a right to enroll and remain enrolled in ANY charter or district school regardless of disability, race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or income.

A school is required to test students suspected of having a disability.

A school is required to provide accommodations and modifications to the curriculum according to the needs of a disabled student.

Common Push Out Practices:

Educational testing is expensive and a school might avoid testing students for disabilities to save time and money.

Specific laws apply to testing students for a disabilities. Because the laws can be tedious, schools might avoid placing a child in special education.

All testing and accommodations for disabilities relating to education are FREE. Families should not be asked to pay for any testing, equipment, or fees.

Schools often meet with families to convince them to leave the school. The school might suggest that the school "is not a good fit," "has a too rigorous curriculum," or that the student "would be more successful elsewhere." Because schools are graded on academic performance, they often try to remove students with a disability.

Suggested Questions and Responses:

Request, in writing, to have your student tested for a disability.

If your child has been more successful in the past, let the teacher/school know what worked. Teachers and schools are often just looking for solutions.

Ask what interventions or accommodations have been made for you student. Work with the teacher/school to find other interventions or accommodations to make positive changes.

Ask about free tutoring or homework help offered by the school.

Find Out More:

• Free appropriate public education (FAPE): https://www.understood.org/en/school-learning/your-childs-rights/basics-about-childs-rights/at-a-glance-free-and-appropriate-public-education
• 504, IDEA (special education), ADA: http://s.raisingspecialkids.org/504comparisonofsection504withideaandada.pdf?mtime=20150824104020
• Accommodations and Modifications: http://www.pacer.org/parent/php/PHP-c49b.pdf
  Spanish: http://www.pacer.org/parent/php/PHP-c49s.pdf
• Interventions: https://www.pacer.org/parent/php/php-c215b.pdf
  Spanish: http://www.pacer.org/parent/php/php-c215b(s).pdf
• Signs of learning disabilities:
  https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/learning/conditioninfo/pages/symptoms.aspx
• Request for evaluation: http://www.parentcenterhub.org/wp-content/uploads/repo_items/pa9.pdf
  Spanish: http://www.parentcenterhub.org/carta-evaluacion/
• Freedom of Expression: https://www.aclu.org/other/your-right-free-expression
• Right to Religious Freedom: https://www.aclu.org/other/your-right-religious-freedom
• KYR Encountering the Police https://www.aclu.org/know-your-rights/what-do-when-encountering-police-youth

The school is not providing help for my student.

Your Rights:

A student has a right to a FREE APPROPRIATE PUBLIC EDUCATION. In general, this means that a student has a right to enroll and remain enrolled in ANY charter or district school regardless of disability, race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or income.

A school is required to test students suspected of having a disability.

A school is required to provide accommodations and modifications to the curriculum according to the needs of a disabled student.

Common Push Out Practices:

Schools might treat students of a particular group differently.

Schools sometimes have inflexible discipline policies that prevent students from reaching the curriculum.

Educational testing is expensive and a school might avoid testing students for disabilities to save time and money.

Specific laws apply to testing students for a disabilities. Because the laws can be tedious, schools might avoid placing a child in special education.

All testing and accommodations for disabilities relating to education are FREE. Families should not be asked to pay for any testing, equipment, or fees.

Schools often meet with families to convince them to leave the school. The school might suggest that the school "is not a good fit," "has a too rigorous curriculum," or that the student "would be more successful elsewhere." Because schools are graded on academic performance, they often try to remove lower performing students.

Suggested Questions and Responses:

If necessary, request in writing to have your student tested for a disability.

If your child has been more successful in the past, let the teacher/school know what worked. Teachers and schools are often just looking for solutions.

Ask what interventions or accommodations have been made for you student. Work with the teacher/school to find other interventions or accommodations to make positive changes.

Ask about free tutoring or homework help offered by the school.

Find Out More:

• Free appropriate public education (FAPE): https://www.understood.org/en/school-learning/your-childs-rights/basics-about-childs-rights/at-a-glance-free-and-appropriate-public-education
• 504, IDEA (special education), ADA: http://s.raisingspecialkids.org/504comparisonofsection504withideaandada.pdf?mtime=20150824104020
• Accommodations and Modifications: http://www.pacer.org/parent/php/PHP-c49b.pdf
  Spanish: http://www.pacer.org/parent/php/PHP-c49s.pdf
• Interventions: https://www.pacer.org/parent/php/php-c215b.pdf
  Spanish: http://www.pacer.org/parent/php/php-c215b(s).pdf
• Signs of learning disabilities:
  https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/learning/conditioninfo/pages/symptoms.aspx
• Request for evaluation: http://www.parentcenterhub.org/wp-content/uploads/repo_items/pa9.pdf
  Spanish: http://www.parentcenterhub.org/carta-evaluacion/
• Bias in school discipline: https://thinkprogress.org/new-data-shows-the-school-to-prison-pipeline-starts-as-early-as-preschool-80fc1c3e85be
• Freedom of Expression: https://www.aclu.org/other/your-right-free-expression
• Right to Religious Freedom: https://www.aclu.org/other/your-right-religious-freedom
• KYR Encountering the Police https://www.aclu.org/know-your-rights/what-do-when-encountering-police-youth

The school said I could not enroll my student because of his/her disability.

Your Rights:

A student has a right to a FREE APPROPRIATE PUBLIC EDUCATION. In general, this means that a student has a right to enroll and remain enrolled in ANY charter or district school regardless of disability, race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or income.

A district or charter school is required to provide accommodations and modifications to the curriculum according to the needs of a disabled student.

Transcripts, discipline records, attendance records, and Special Education documents should not be requested until after enrollment. The school should not ask for proof of citizenship, social security number, or money.

Common Push Out Practices:

A school may not deny enrollment due to a disability.

Providing appropriate accommodations for a disabled student might be expensive, time consuming, or difficult for the school, but it is the law.

If you have been asked to meet before registering, this may be a sign the school will attempt to prevent enrollment.

Schools often meet with families to convince them to choose a different school. The school might suggest that the school "is not a good fit," "has a too rigorous curriculum," or that the student "would be more successful elsewhere." Because schools are graded on academic performance, they often try to remove students with disabilities.

Suggested Questions and Responses:

Let the school know that you understand your right to enroll and their responsibility to provide a FREE APPROPRIATE PUBLIC EDUCATION.

Insist that you have a right to enroll prior to meeting with anyone. Any meetings to ensure appropriate accommodations for a disability can be done after registration paperwork. Make sure that the school intends to provide the accommodations and modifications stated on their current IEP. An IEP should not have to be rewritten to attend the school of your choice.

Ask what interventions or accommodations will be made for you student. Work with the teacher/school to find other interventions or accommodations to make positive changes.

If your child has been more successful in the past, let the teacher/school know what worked. Teachers and schools are often just looking for solutions.

Ask about free tutoring or homework help offered by the school.

Find Out More:

• Free appropriate public education (FAPE): https://www.understood.org/en/school-learning/your-childs-rights/basics-about-childs-rights/at-a-glance-free-and-appropriate-public-education
• 504, IDEA (special education), ADA: http://s.raisingspecialkids.org/504comparisonofsection504withideaandada.pdf?mtime=20150824104020
• Accommodations and Modifications: http://www.pacer.org/parent/php/PHP-c49b.pdf
  Spanish: http://www.pacer.org/parent/php/PHP-c49s.pdf
• Interventions: https://www.pacer.org/parent/php/php-c215b.pdf
  Spanish: http://www.pacer.org/parent/php/php-c215b(s).pdf
• Signs of learning disabilities:
  https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/learning/conditioninfo/pages/symptoms.aspx
• Request for evaluation: http://www.parentcenterhub.org/wp-content/uploads/repo_items/pa9.pdf
  Spanish: http://www.parentcenterhub.org/carta-evaluacion/
• Freedom of Expression: https://www.aclu.org/other/your-right-free-expression
• Right to Religious Freedom: https://www.aclu.org/other/your-right-religious-freedom
• KYR Encountering the Police https://www.aclu.org/know-your-rights/what-do-when-encountering-police-youth

The school said I could not enroll my student because of his/her discipline record.

Your Rights:

A student has a right to a FREE APPROPRIATE PUBLIC EDUCATION. In general, this means that a student has a right to enroll and remain enrolled in ANY charter or district school regardless of disability, race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or income.
*A charter or district school may deny enrollment to a student that has been expelled from a school.
*Before an expulsion, a student has a right to hearing before the school board.

Transcripts, discipline records, attendance records, and Special Education documents should not be requested until after enrollment. The school should not ask for proof of citizenship, social security number, or money.

Common Push Out Practices:

With the exception of a record of expulsion, a school may not deny a student enrollment due to previous discipline.

Schools might treat students of a particular group differently.

Schools often meet with families to convince them to choose a different school. The school might suggest that the student "would be more successful elsewhere" or that the student will continue to be in trouble or even expelled if they stay. Schools do not have any incentive to keep kids that need extra time and attention. "

Suggested Questions and Responses:

It is a school's responsibility to make sure EVERY child succeeds.

Suspensions and expulsion can have long-term effects on student success.

Students of color, English language learners, and students with disabilities are disproportionately disciplined. Inform yourself, and the school about bias.

Ask the school about interventions that can be used to improve student success.

Request the school use alternatives to suspension. (The school is required to have an "alternatives to suspension" program.)

Often, misbehavior happens because a student is struggling to learn. If your child has struggled for a long time, consider requesting testing for special education services.

Find Out More:

• Free appropriate public education (FAPE): https://www.understood.org/en/school-learning/your-childs-rights/basics-about-childs-rights/at-a-glance-free-and-appropriate-public-education
• Alternatives to suspension: https://law.duke.edu/childedlaw/schooldiscipline/downloads/instead_of_suspension.pdf
• Bias in school discipline: https://thinkprogress.org/new-data-shows-the-school-to-prison-pipeline-starts-as-early-as-preschool-80fc1c3e85be
• Gender bias for minorities: https://nwlc.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/final_nwlc_NOVO2016Toolkit.pdf
• 504, IDEA (special education), ADA: http://s.raisingspecialkids.org/504comparisonofsection504withideaandada.pdf?mtime=20150824104020
• Accommodations and Modifications: http://www.pacer.org/parent/php/PHP-c49b.pdf
  Spanish: http://www.pacer.org/parent/php/PHP-c49s.pdf
• Interventions: https://www.pacer.org/parent/php/php-c215b.pdf
  Spanish: http://www.pacer.org/parent/php/php-c215b(s).pdf
• Freedom of Expression: https://www.aclu.org/other/your-right-free-expression
• Right to Religious Freedom: https://www.aclu.org/other/your-right-religious-freedom
• KYR Encountering the Police https://www.aclu.org/know-your-rights/what-do-when-encountering-police-youth

The school said I could not enroll my student because of his/her attendance record.

Your Rights:

A student has a right to a FREE APPROPRIATE PUBLIC EDUCATION. In general, this means that a student has a right to enroll and remain enrolled in ANY charter or district school regardless of disability, race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or income.
*A school may retain a student who has missed more than 10% of instruction time.
*A school may expel a student for excessive truancy of they are 17 or older.

Transcripts, discipline records, attendance records, and Special Education documents should not be requested until after enrollment. The school should not ask for proof of citizenship, social security number, or money.

Common Push Out Practices:

A school may not deny enrollment to a student due to their attendance record.

Schools often meet with families to convince them to choose a different school. The school might suggest that the student may be happier or motivated for school elsewhere. Because schools are graded on and funded by attendance, they often try to remove students with frequent absences.

Suggested Questions and Responses:

It is a school's responsibility to make sure EVERY child succeeds.

If your child has missed school due to a chronic illness or disability, request a 504 plan. This educational plan provides protections against discrimination for the illness or disability and outlines what the school plans to do to accommodate the student's needs.

Students who miss school due to documented illness and complete the requirements of the course can not be retained.

If your child has missed school because they are unmotivated, talk to your student about what they are avoiding. Consider that it might be particular students, teachers or even a subject. Communicate the information back to the school to come up with interventions that could improve the situation.

Sometimes a student is unmotivated to go to school because they do not feel successful. If your child has struggled for a long time, consider requesting testing for special education services.

If your student has missed school for religious reasons, communicate with the school about appropriate accommodations that can be made.

Find Out More:

• Free appropriate public education (FAPE): https://www.understood.org/en/school-learning/your-childs-rights/basics-about-childs-rights/at-a-glance-free-and-appropriate-public-education
• 504, IDEA (special education), ADA: http://s.raisingspecialkids.org/504comparisonofsection504withideaandada.pdf?mtime=20150824104020
• Accommodations and Modifications: http://www.pacer.org/parent/php/PHP-c49b.pdf
  Spanish: http://www.pacer.org/parent/php/PHP-c49s.pdf
• Interventions: https://www.pacer.org/parent/php/php-c215b.pdf
  Spanish: http://www.pacer.org/parent/php/php-c215b(s).pdf
• Freedom of Expression: https://www.aclu.org/other/your-right-free-expression
• Right to Religious Freedom: https://www.aclu.org/other/your-right-religious-freedom
• KYR Encountering the Police https://www.aclu.org/know-your-rights/what-do-when-encountering-police-youth

The school is not providing appropriate accommodations or modifications for my disabled student.

Your Rights:

A student has a right to a FREE APPROPRIATE PUBLIC EDUCATION. In general, this means that a student has a right to enroll and remain enrolled in ANY charter or district school regardless of disability, race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or income.

A district or charter school is required to provide accommodations and modifications to the curriculum according to the needs of a disabled student.

Common Push Out Practices:

Providing appropriate accommodations for a disabled student may be expensive, time consuming, or difficult for the school, but it is the law.

Schools often meet with families to convince them to choose a different school. The school might suggest that the school "is not a good fit," "has a too rigorous curriculum," or that the student "would be more successful elsewhere." Because schools are graded on academic performance, they often try to remove lower performing students.

Suggested Questions and Responses:

Let the school know that you understand their responsibility to provide a FREE APPROPRIATE PUBLIC EDUCATION.

If your child has been more successful in the past, let the teacher/school know what worked. Teachers and schools are often just looking for solutions.

Ask what interventions or accommodations will be made for you student. Work with the teacher/school to find other interventions or accommodations to make positive changes.

Ask about free tutoring or homework help offered by the school.

Find Out More:

• Free appropriate public education (FAPE): https://www.understood.org/en/school-learning/your-childs-rights/basics-about-childs-rights/at-a-glance-free-and-appropriate-public-education
• 504, IDEA (special education), ADA: http://s.raisingspecialkids.org/504comparisonofsection504withideaandada.pdf?mtime=20150824104020
• Accommodations and Modifications: http://www.pacer.org/parent/php/PHP-c49b.pdf
  Spanish: http://www.pacer.org/parent/php/PHP-c49s.pdf
• Interventions: https://www.pacer.org/parent/php/php-c215b.pdf
  Spanish: http://www.pacer.org/parent/php/php-c215b(s).pdf
• Bias in school discipline: https://thinkprogress.org/new-data-shows-the-school-to-prison-pipeline-starts-as-early-as-preschool-80fc1c3e85be
• Freedom of Expression: https://www.aclu.org/other/your-right-free-expression
• Right to Religious Freedom: https://www.aclu.org/other/your-right-religious-freedom
• KYR Encountering the Police https://www.aclu.org/know-your-rights/what-do-when-encountering-police-youth

My student is often in trouble at school.

Your Rights:

Schools must treat students without discrimination regardless of race, disability, religion, gender, or sexual orientation.

The school may discipline a student according to the written policy and precedent set in similar incidents.

Common Push Out Practices:

Schools might treat students of a particular group differently.

Schools might use a strategy of excessively disciplining a student to push the student out of school. Multiple suspensions for small infractions could be a sign that the school it trying to push your student out.

Schools often meet with families to convince them to leave the school. The school might suggest that the student "would be more successful elsewhere" or that the student will continue to be in trouble or even expelled if they stay. Schools do not have any incentive to keep kids that need extra time and attention.

Suggested Questions and Responses:

It is a school's responsibility to make sure EVERY child succeeds.

Suspensions and expulsion can have long-term effects on student success.

Students of color, English language learners, and students with disabilities are disproportionately disciplined. Inform yourself, and the school about bias.

Carefully read the student policies regarding the rules that are said to have been broken as well the policies about suspension and expulsion.

Ask if other students have had similar incidents previously and how they were handled.

Request the school provide any and all documentation regarding to the student's discipline record.

Ask the school about interventions that can be used to improve student success.

Request the school use alternatives to suspension. (The school is required to have an "alternatives to suspension" program.)

Often, misbehavior happens because a student is struggling to learn. If your child has struggled for a long time, consider requesting testing for special education services.

If your student has a 504 plan or an IEP, request documentation on the accommodations that have been provided. **Specific laws apply to suspension and expulsion of students enrolled in special education. In general, students should not be excessively disciplined for behavior caused by their disability.

Find Out More:

• Free appropriate public education (FAPE): https://www.understood.org/en/school-learning/your-childs-rights/basics-about-childs-rights/at-a-glance-free-and-appropriate-public-education
• Bias in school discipline: https://thinkprogress.org/new-data-shows-the-school-to-prison-pipeline-starts-as-early-as-preschool-80fc1c3e85be
• Gender bias for minorities: https://nwlc.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/final_nwlc_NOVO2016Toolkit.pdf
• Alternatives to suspension: https://law.duke.edu/childedlaw/schooldiscipline/downloads/instead_of_suspension.pdf
• 504, IDEA (special education), ADA: http://s.raisingspecialkids.org/504comparisonofsection504withideaandada.pdf?mtime=20150824104020
• Accommodations and Modifications: http://www.pacer.org/parent/php/PHP-c49b.pdf
  Spanish: http://www.pacer.org/parent/php/PHP-c49s.pdf
• Interventions: https://www.pacer.org/parent/php/php-c215b.pdf
  Spanish: http://www.pacer.org/parent/php/php-c215b(s).pdf
• Request for evaluation: http://www.parentcenterhub.org/wp-content/uploads/repo_items/pa9.pdf
  Spanish: http://www.parentcenterhub.org/carta-evaluacion/
• Signs of learning disabilities:
  https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/learning/conditioninfo/pages/symptoms.aspx
• Freedom of Expression: https://www.aclu.org/other/your-right-free-expression
• Right to Religious Freedom: https://www.aclu.org/other/your-right-religious-freedom
• KYR Encountering the Police https://www.aclu.org/know-your-rights/what-do-when-encountering-police-youth

The school said I could not enroll my student because of his/her grades/credits.

Your Rights:

A student has a right to a FREE APPROPRIATE PUBLIC EDUCATION. In general, this means that a student has a right to enroll and remain enrolled in ANY charter or district school regardless of disability, race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or income.

By law, the school needs only proof of residency and proof of identity to enroll. Exceptions should be made for foster and homeless children.

Transcripts, discipline records, attendance records, and Special Education documents should not be requested until after enrollment. The school should not ask for proof of citizenship, social security number, or money.

Common Push Out Practices:

A school may not deny enrollment due to grades or credits.

If you have been asked to meet before registering, this may be a sign the school will attempt to prevent enrollment.

Schools often meet with families to convince them to choose a different school. The school might suggest that the school "is not a good fit," "has a too rigorous curriculum," or that the student "would be more successful elsewhere." They often suggest that they cannot offer the courses needed for the student to graduate. Because schools are graded on academic performance and graduation rate, they often try to remove students with low grades or few credits toward graduation.

Suggested Questions and Responses:

Let the school know that you understand your right to enroll and their responsibility to provide a FREE APPROPRIATE PUBLIC EDUCATION.

Insist that you have a right to enroll prior to meeting with anyone. Any meetings to ensure appropriate placement in courses can be done after registration paperwork. The school must arrange to provide the appropriate courses for your student.

Ask what interventions or accommodations will be made for you student. Work with the teacher/school to find other interventions or accommodations to make positive changes.

If your child has been more successful in the past, let the teacher/school know what worked. Teachers and schools are often just looking for solutions.

Ask about free tutoring or homework help offered by the school.

Find Out More:

• Free appropriate public education (FAPE): https://www.understood.org/en/school-learning/your-childs-rights/basics-about-childs-rights/at-a-glance-free-and-appropriate-public-education
• Accommodations and Modifications: http://www.pacer.org/parent/php/PHP-c49b.pdf
  Spanish: http://www.pacer.org/parent/php/PHP-c49s.pdf
• Interventions: https://www.pacer.org/parent/php/php-c215b.pdf
  Spanish: http://www.pacer.org/parent/php/php-c215b(s).pdf
• Signs of learning disabilities:
  https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/learning/conditioninfo/pages/symptoms.aspx
• Freedom of Expression: https://www.aclu.org/other/your-right-free-expression
• Right to Religious Freedom: https://www.aclu.org/other/your-right-religious-freedom
• KYR Encountering the Police https://www.aclu.org/know-your-rights/what-do-when-encountering-police-youth

The school said I could not enroll my student because he/she does not speak English well.

Your Rights:

A student has a right to a FREE APPROPRIATE PUBLIC EDUCATION. In general, this means that a student has a right to enroll and remain enrolled in ANY charter or district school regardless of disability, race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or income.

A district or charter school is required to provide accommodations and modifications to the curriculum according to the needs of a disabled student.

Transcripts, discipline records, attendance records, and Special Education documents should not be requested until after enrollment. The school should not ask for proof of citizenship, social security number, or money.

Common Push Out Practices:

Providing appropriate accommodations for an English Language Learner may be expensive, time consuming, or difficult for the school, but it is the law.

If you have been asked to meet before registering, this may be a sign the school will attempt to prevent enrollment.

Schools might treat students of a particular group differently.

Schools often meet with families to convince them to choose a different school. The school might suggest that the school "is not a good fit," "has a too rigorous curriculum," or that the student "would be more successful elsewhere." Because schools are graded on academic performance and graduation rate, they often try to remove students who might struggle with the language.

Suggested Questions and Responses:

Let the school know that you understand your right to enroll and their responsibility to provide a FREE APPROPRIATE PUBLIC EDUCATION.

Insist that you have a right to enroll prior to meeting with anyone. Any meetings to ensure appropriate placement in courses can be done after registration paperwork. The school must arrange to provide the appropriate courses for your student.

The school must provide an English Language Learning program for any student who has not passed the Arizona English Language Learner Assessment.

Ask what interventions or accommodations will be made for you student. Work with the teacher/school to find other interventions or accommodations to make positive changes.

If your child has been more successful in the past, let the teacher/school know what worked. Teachers and schools are often just looking for solutions.

Ask about free tutoring or homework help offered by the school.

Find Out More:

• Free appropriate public education (FAPE): https://www.understood.org/en/school-learning/your-childs-rights/basics-about-childs-rights/at-a-glance-free-and-appropriate-public-education
• Accommodations for English Learners: http://staff.rentonschools.us/mhe/english-language-learners-ell-2/teacher-resources/download/26_Classroom_Accommodation_shorter_checklist.pdf?id=371188
• Freedom of Expression: https://www.aclu.org/other/your-right-free-expression
• Right to Religious Freedom: https://www.aclu.org/other/your-right-religious-freedom
• KYR Encountering the Police https://www.aclu.org/know-your-rights/what-do-when-encountering-police-youth

The school said I could not enroll my student because he/she is not a citizen.

Your Rights:

A student has a right to a FREE APPROPRIATE PUBLIC EDUCATION. In general, this means that a student has a right to enroll and remain enrolled in ANY charter or district school regardless of disability, race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or income.

A district or charter school is required to provide accommodations and modifications to the curriculum according to the needs of a disabled student.

Transcripts, discipline records, attendance records, and Special Education documents should not be requested until after enrollment. The school should not ask for proof of citizenship, social security number, or money.

Common Push Out Practices:

Schools might treat students of a particular group differently.

Providing appropriate accommodations for an English Language Learner may be expensive, time consuming, or difficult for the school, but it is the law.

If you have been asked to meet before registering, this may be a sign the school will attempt to prevent enrollment.

Schools often meet with families to convince them to choose a different school. The school might suggest that the school "is not a good fit," "has a too rigorous curriculum," or that the student "would be more successful elsewhere." Because schools are graded on academic performance and graduation rate, they often try to remove students who might struggle with the language.

Suggested Questions and Responses:

Let the school know that you understand your right to enroll and their responsibility to provide a FREE APPROPRIATE PUBLIC EDUCATION.

Insist that you have a right to enroll prior to meeting with anyone. Any meetings to ensure appropriate placement in courses can be done after registration paperwork. The school must arrange to provide the appropriate courses for your student.

The school must provide an English Language Learning program for any student who has not passed the Arizona English Language Learner Assessment.

Ask what interventions or accommodations will be made for you student. Work with the teacher/school to find other interventions or accommodations to make positive changes.

If your child has been more successful in the past, let the teacher/school know what worked. Teachers and schools are often just looking for solutions.

Ask about free tutoring or homework help offered by the school.

Find Out More:

• Free appropriate public education (FAPE): https://www.understood.org/en/school-learning/your-childs-rights/basics-about-childs-rights/at-a-glance-free-and-appropriate-public-education
• Accommodations for English Learners: http://staff.rentonschools.us/mhe/english-language-learners-ell-2/teacher-resources/download/26_Classroom_Accommodation_shorter_checklist.pdf?id=371188
• Freedom of Expression: https://www.aclu.org/other/your-right-free-expression
• Right to Religious Freedom: https://www.aclu.org/other/your-right-religious-freedom
• KYR Encountering the Police https://www.aclu.org/know-your-rights/what-do-when-encountering-police-youth