Student Advocacy Center of Michigan: Suspensions

Suspensions

ADVOCATE FOR STUDENTS:
Raise a Strong Voice for Children

Demand accurate information about the number of and reasons for expulsions.

Spread the word about the negative effects of expulsion to your friends, neighbors, and co-workers.

Write your legislators about your concerns with public education in Michigan. Speak out about due process rights and alternatives to expulsion.

SAMPLE LETTER & QUICKGUIDE

Sample Letters make communication with schools easier for parents by providing a starting point for the advocacy process.
QuickGuides offer general explanations for understanding and retrieving information, as well as guidance in how to handle specific school-related situations.

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The Law

At this writing, the Michigan legislature is reviewing and drafting new legislation to determine the ground rules for schools to suspend and expel students. It is somewhat safe to assume, however, that the bills that are signed into law will not be particularly kid friendly. Basically, suspension is a short-term removal of a student from a classroom environment. This suspension may be served in school, or out of school. Any out of school placement that lasts longer than ten school days should be considered an expulsion. If your child has been suspended for more than 10 days at one time, please visit the Expulsions section.

Special Education Protections

Any Special Education student who has been suspended for a total of 10 days needs to have a new IEPC meeting, as laid out in federal law. If your child is certified as Special Education, and has been suspended for more than 10 days, see the QuickGuide to Special Education Protections from Discipline.

Schools aren't always clear or honest about matters pertaining to suspension. This is yet another thing that will be explained in the school's Student Handbook, which you can request from the school if you don't have one.

Difference in suspension for special and regular education

Suspension procedures are different for special and general education students. In a nutshell, schools have a harder time randomly suspending children who qualify for special education services.