Somerville Suspension case
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/05/25/metro/they-called-police-6-year-old-now-somerville-school-leaders-are-suspending-school-police-programs/
The Great Divide series - Boston Globe
https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/education/k-12/education-project/?p1=Article_Inline_Related_Link
MADESE laws and regulations regarding Student Discipline
https://www.mass.gov/info-details/massachusetts-law-about-student-discipline
MGL c.71, § 37H Schools must have policies about student discipline, and students must get a handbook that explains the rules. A student who brings a weapon or drugs to school, or assaults a staff member may be expelled.
MGL c.71, § 37H-1/2 If a student is charged with a felony, they may be suspended. If they are convicted of a felony, they may be expelled. The student can appeal the decision.
MGL c.71, § 37H-3/4 Rules for schools to follow if they suspend or expel a student for any other reason
MGL c.76, § 21 Helping a student who is suspended or expelled continue their education
Mahanoy Area School District v. B. L., 594 U.S. ___ , 141 S.Ct. 2038
While public schools may have a special interest in regulating some off-campus student speech, the special interests offered by the school are not sufficient to overcome B. L.’s interest in free expression in this case.
Doe v. Worcester Public Schools, 484 Mass. 598 (2020)
The school "superintendent lacked authority to delegate responsibility for hearing and deciding the appeal, given that the initial suspension exceeded ninety days and therefore constituted an expulsion."
Massachusetts school discipline laws & regulations by category, US Dept. of Education, March 31, 2021
"For each of the states or jurisdictions, discipline related laws and regulations are categorized by the type of specific discipline issue they address. Resources from government-sponsored websites and other sources are also included for each jurisdiction where available."
Parent guide to school discipline: when my child is disciplined at school: a guide for Massachusetts families, Appleseed Center, 2015.
Great information to help parents when their child has been disciplined at school. Explains some of the common consequences for misbehavior, from missing recess to expulsion. Includes a lot of information on appealing a school discipline decision.
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