Can You Sue a School for How It Handles Student Misconduct?

Going through any type of conflict with your child’s school can be deeply stressful. For parents, it can feel like you are up against a bureaucracy. You may be wondering: Can a public school board be sued for failing to properly deal with student misconduct?

The short answer is yes. But there must be a specific legal cause of action in order to hold a school or school employee accountable. There may also be alternatives to litigation that suit your situation better. In this article, you find an explanation of key federal laws that schools and school districts must follow. For legal help and discussion of your options, reach out to a local schools and education lawyer.

Lawsuits Against Schools and School Districts

Every child in the United States has a right to a free public education. When a school or school district fails to provide equal educational opportunities because of poor handling of student misconduct or a related issue, legal action may be required. Here are key education laws that parents of students should know about:

Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964

This states that no person shall be excluded from participation in federally funded educational programs based on race, color, or national origin.

Through a Title VI claim, a school or school district may face a lawsuit if a student misconduct policy has a disparate impact on students based on their protected status.

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972

Title IX strictly prohibits sex discrimination in education programs that receive federal funding. For a number of different reasons, a student misconduct matter could raise Title IX issues. A school may face a lawsuit if it violates a student’s rights to an environment free from gender discrimination under the statute.

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

FERPA is a federal law that protects student records. Under the statute, parents are able to access student records, can request appropriate changes, and may even be able to prevent the disclosure of those records. A student misconduct matter may give rise to a FERPA claim.

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

Comprehensive educational data indicates that students with disabilities are more likely to run into misconduct issues. Under IDEA, some important legal protections are available for these students. Among other things, students with disabilities are entitled to a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) that is suited to meet their unique needs. Notably, the IDEA requires parents to exhaust their administrative remedies before filing a lawsuit.

Getting Legal Help

Education law is complex. There can also be complications in suing a state or local government entity arising from the doctrine of sovereign immunity. You do not have to navigate the legal process alone. A child who has been improperly denied equal educational opportunities due to the mishandling of alleged student misconduct deserves high quality representation.

Many attorneys provide free consultations to learn about your claim. Here are some questions to ask when meeting an attorney for the first time:

• What is your experience as an education law attorney?
• What types of lawsuits have you handled?
• What are your attorney’s fees and billing options?
• What are my options to enforce my child’s education rights?

Visit the Super Lawyers directory to find an experienced schools and education attorney for guidance and support.