Your Child's Rights: Navigating School Discipline and Suspensions with Special Education Needs
When your child with an IEP faces discipline or suspension, federal law protects them. This guide explains their rights, your role, and how to respond when schools get it wrong.
Discipline is one of the most misunderstood areas of special education law — and one of the most consequential. Schools cannot discipline a child with a disability the same way they discipline other students. There are specific rules, specific timelines, and specific rights that apply the moment a suspension or disciplinary action is proposed.
This guide walks you through manifestation determination reviews, the 10-day rule, change of placement protections, functional behavioral assessments, behavior intervention plans, and what to do when the school skips steps it was required to take. You'll know exactly what questions to ask, what to watch for, and how to push back effectively when your child's rights are being violated.
Not legal advice. For advocacy and informational purposes only.