Simone Lawson
Expulsion is the permanent removal of a student from a school, school district, college, university, or TAFE due to persistent violation of that institution's rules or, in extreme cases, a single offense of marked severity. Expulsion laws and procedures vary between countries and states, and rates of expulsion may be higher for students of colour or those with certain disabilities. In the context of DC schools, charter schools expelled 676 students in the past three years, while the city's traditional public schools expelled 24. DC charter schools have been noted to expel students at far higher rates than traditional public schools, with KIPP DC College Prep, a high school, expelling 17 students in one year, or 5% of its enrollment.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reasons for expulsion | Continual disobedience, drug-related offences, physical assault, arson, sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, smoking, supply of controlled drugs, substance abuse, physical harm or credible threat of harm to others, endangering the lives of other students or the student themselves |
| Expulsion rates | Charter schools in DC expelled 676 students in the past 3 years, while public schools expelled 24 |
| Student's rights | Students must receive a written notice about the expulsion, including information on the length of expulsion and available community-based education programs |
| Appeals process | If the committee decision is not unanimous, the decision can be appealed to the Board within 30 days; the superintendent's decision can be petitioned to the School Board |
| Readmission | Parents and caregivers may apply for the student's readmission one calendar year after expulsion |
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What You'll Learn
Drug offences, including supplying controlled drugs to other students
Drug-related offences are one of the leading causes of expulsions in schools. In DC, drug-related offences are treated differently from many other jurisdictions. The DC Code takes into account the location where the drugs were found, the intended use, and the substance itself. For example, penalties for drug-related offences in "drug-free zones", which include areas within 1,000 feet of schools, are twice the maximum sentence and fine for the respective offence.
In schools, students are prohibited from possessing, storing, ingesting, passing along, or selling controlled substances. If a student is caught, they will usually be suspended, and in some cases, expelled. The decision to expel a student for a drug-related offence often depends on the specific circumstances and the student's previous disciplinary record.
Possession of a small amount of a soft drug, such as tobacco or cannabis, may not be considered sufficient grounds for expulsion. However, if a student is found to be supplying controlled drugs to other students, the school may have no discretion but to expel the student. In California, state law mandates expulsion for students proven to have sold drugs.
It is important to note that laws and procedures regarding expulsion vary between countries and states. Students facing expulsion for drug-related offences may have options such as alternative schools, homeschooling, boarding schools, private schools, or online courses. However, in some states, public school districts are not required to enrol students currently serving a term of expulsion.
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Physical harm or threats to others
In Washington, D.C., charter schools expelled 676 students over three years, while public schools expelled 24. Charter schools have more freedom to expel students because they operate independently of the traditional school system.
In D.C. public schools, expulsion is governed by the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act, approved in October 1990, and the School Safety Omnibus Amendment Act of 2018. Under these laws, expulsion is the permanent removal or banning of a student from a school due to persistent violations of the school's rules or a single severe offence.
One such offence is physical harm or threats to others. Fighting, threats, and physical violence are grounds for suspension or expulsion. This includes causing, attempting to cause, or threatening to cause physical injury to another person. Pushing and shoving can be considered "mutual combat" and result in suspension or expulsion, even on the first offence.
The self-defence excuse may be considered in some cases, such as when a student is clearly the victim of a gang beating. However, in most two-student fights, both students will be punished. Schools usually allow for suspension or expulsion in cases of fighting, threats, or other physical harm, even if it is a first offence.
In addition, a “hit list" targeting students or teachers, threats of violence on social media, drawings of guns and destruction, or writing violent essays can lead to discipline and possible expulsion.
Other offences that can result in expulsion include drug offences, supplying controlled drugs to other students, arson, sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, smoking, and bringing weapons to school.
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Persistent violation of school rules
In Washington, D.C., charter schools expel students at a higher rate than traditional public schools. Charter schools expelled 676 students in the past three years, while the city's traditional public schools expelled 24. This highlights the freedom that charter schools have from school system policies, as they are publicly funded schools that operate independently of the traditional school system.
Expulsion, also known as dismissal, withdrawal, or permanent exclusion, is the permanent removal or banning of a student from an educational institution due to the persistent violation of that institution's rules or, in extreme cases, a single offense of marked severity.
In D.C., some schools are shifting away from suspensions, with the city's suspension rate declining by five percentage points in the past five years. The Restorative DC program provides tailored support on restorative practices to a cohort of schools. However, there is a concern that schools may substitute out-of-school suspensions with in-school suspensions, which could lead to exclusionary discipline persisting but becoming less visible.
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Serious incidents that endanger students or staff
In Washington, D.C., charter schools expelled 676 students in the past three years, while the city's traditional public schools expelled 24. KIPP DC's chief executive, Susan Schaeffler, stated that expulsions occur in serious incidents that endanger the lives of students or staff. While the specific policies defining expulsion criteria for D.C. schools could not be found, the following paragraphs outline common serious incidents that endanger students or staff and often lead to expulsions in schools.
Physical violence or assault against other students or staff is a serious offence and can lead to expulsion. This includes physical altercations, fighting, and any form of unwanted physical contact that causes harm or endangers the safety of others. Schools have a responsibility to provide a safe environment for all students and staff, and physical violence is a direct violation of this duty of care.
Drug-related offences, including the supply and distribution of controlled substances to other students, are also considered serious incidents. Possession of small amounts of soft drugs like tobacco or cannabis may not always warrant expulsion, but the sale and provision of illegal substances on school premises pose a significant risk to the well-being of the school community.
Sexual misconduct, abuse, and harassment are severe issues that schools address through expulsion. This includes sexual abuse by staff, student-on-student sexual harassment, sexual assault, and dating violence. Schools implement policies and curricula to prevent and address these incidents, ensuring the safety and protection of students and staff.
Weapons possession on school grounds is another incident that endangers the safety of students and staff. Bringing weapons to school, including firearms, knives, or other dangerous items, is a severe offence. Schools have zero-tolerance policies for weapons possession, and students found violating these policies may face expulsion.
Finally, schools consider threats or acts of violence against the school community, such as bomb threats or arson, as serious incidents. These actions pose a direct risk to the physical safety of students and staff and are grounds for immediate disciplinary action, including expulsion.
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Disobedience, substance abuse, and physical assault
Expulsion is the permanent removal or banning of a student from a school due to persistent rule violations or extreme one-time offences. In the context of student discipline, there are differences in procedures between public and private institutions. Public schools must provide constitutional due process protections as they operate as an extension of state governments. On the other hand, private schools have more autonomy in deciding disciplinary actions.
Substance abuse, including the use, possession, sale, or transfer of drugs or alcohol, is a serious offence that can lead to expulsion. This also extends to the possession of prescription drugs or controlled substances with the intent to distribute or sell. Schools have a responsibility to ensure the safety and well-being of their students and staff, and substance abuse can pose a significant threat to the school community.
Physical assault is a violation that can result in expulsion from school. This includes not only physical attacks on students but also educational personnel, such as teachers and administrators. Assault resulting in serious physical injury must be immediately reported to law enforcement, and schools have a responsibility to take appropriate disciplinary action to maintain a safe learning environment.
Disobedience, or willful defiance of authority, is another reason for expulsion. This can include the use of profanity, vulgarity, or threats of violence. Schools have the discretion to determine the appropriate consequences for disobedience, and expulsion is often considered a last resort when other disciplinary measures have failed to improve a student's behaviour.
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Frequently asked questions
Expulsion is the permanent removal of a student from a school due to the persistent violation of the institution's rules or a single severe offence. Reasons for expulsion include continual disobedience, drug-related offences, physical assault, arson, sexual harassment, and smoking. In DC, charter schools expel more students than traditional public schools. For instance, charter schools expelled 676 students in the past three years, while the city's traditional public schools expelled 24.
The school board or a committee must approve the expulsion, and the student, parent, or caregiver will receive written notice of the expulsion. This notice includes information on the length of expulsion and any alternative education programs available. The student, parent, or caregiver can appeal the expulsion to the Board, which must decide within 30 days.
Alternative schools, homeschooling, boarding schools, private schools, and online courses are options for expelled students. In some states, public school districts are not required to enrol students serving an expulsion term.
