Quick Links: Troubled Teens
Teens are suspended from school for serious rule infractions. If your teen is suspended this is a warning sign of problems that must be addressed before they get worse. School suspension should be taken seriously and dealt with carefully, here’s what parents need to know:
1. Suspension is a serious disciplinary action in which a teen is removed from the regular classroom for a day or longer. It is the most serious consequence available to school officials. The only other option is expulsion in which the student is permanently kicked out of school.
2. Reasons for suspension include assault, possession or use of weapons, drugs or alcohol, property damage, obscenity, theft, defiance, threats, hazing or sexual harassment.
3. There are two types of suspension:
- In-school suspension is usually reserved for less serious offenses. teens serve the suspension in a special classroom, supervised by school staff and kept separate from school activities.
- Formal or out-of-school suspension in which the teen is not allowed on campus during the suspension and the only exception is for scheduled meetings with school officials.
4. A formal meeting is set up to discuss what behaviors led to the suspension and recommendations from school staff to keep the behavior from being repeated. Attend this meeting, as it will provide first-hand accounts of your teens’ unacceptable behavior and discussion of how to help. It’s a good idea for parents to request that the school counselor or psychologist be in attendance.
5. Get the details of why your teen was suspended. The school should provide the reasons for suspension, details of the incident including statements made by school staff, the expected duration of the suspension and recommendations for helping the student.
6. Make sure your teen participates in this meeting to express their viewpoint and be part of the decision making process.
7. Advocate for your teen to receive help in dealing with the factors leading to the suspension to include evaluation for substance abuse, learning disabilities or emotional problems.
8. Know that you can appeal a suspension. If you get all the facts and believe suspension is an unfair response to your teen’s behavior all schools have an appeal process outlined in their suspension policy, available online.
Quick Links: Troubled Teens