LAUSR

Schools must have rules and procedures in place for disciplining all students, but for students with special needs, there are special considerations. Students with disabilities receive special protections under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. When determining whether and how to discipline students, schools must consider whether the behavior is caused by the disability. If students are eligible for services under IDEA, schools must also consider whether the consequences, such as suspension, could constitute a change in the student’s special education placement. In this Under the Law column, Julie Underwood describes the current laws related to disciplining students with disabilities and shares some example cases.