DANGEROUS & DISRUPTIVE OR SIMPLY CUTTING CLASS; WHEN SHOULD SCHOOLS KICK KIDS TO THE CURB?: AN EMPIRICAL STUDY OF SCHOOL SUSPENSION AND DUE PROCESS RIGHTS

Abstract

This Article will explore the trends in school violence and the response by various school systems to addressing the challenge. Teachers are becoming the victims of student violence, drugs and weapons are becoming commonplace in our educational settings, and tardiness and absenteeism are constant challenges for an over-burdened school system. The adverse effects of suspending a student from school have far-reaching implications for that student's future employment prospects and higher education aspirations. The duty of the school system to provide alternative education environments for the suspended will also be examined. Finally, the responsibility of parents, through state imposed criminal sanctions, for the violent and delinquent actions of their children will be analyzed to determine if such consequences are effective at reducing this behavior.