Description
IDEA includes very specific guidelines regarding the discipline of students with disabilities in public school settings. Special education teachers must be knowledgeable of, and adhere to, these guidelines when dealing with any discipline issues regarding students who receive special education services. It is important that the student’s disability be taken into consideration when making discipline decisions.
Review the case scenario below to inform the assignment that follows.
Carrie is a 15-year-old student with a language impairment. In particular, she struggles with understanding expressive language (i.e., sharing thoughts, ideas, and feelings completely). Recently, Carrie and the bus driver exchanged words about Carrie’s seat on the bus. Carrie proceeded to call the bus driver several inappropriate names. Prior to this incident, Carrie had not exhibited any of these behaviors in her classroom or in any other school environment, and she had not received any disciplinary action in the school year.
Following the incident, Carrie’s parents received a letter from the principal stating that Carrie would be suspended for 11 school days, has been expelled from riding the school bus for the remainder of the semester, and that, for the remainder of the year, special transportation would be provided to Carrie at the end of the 11-day suspension.
Carrie’s parents have requested that Carrie’s IEP team gather in order to complete a functional behavioral assessment, develop a behavioral intervention plan, and conduct a manifestation determination review. Further, they object to Carrie having special transportation. Carrie’s IEP indicates that she is to ride the “general education” bus.
Part 1: Flowchart
Create a flowchart that clearly depicts the two possible discipline paths following a manifestation determination identify that the misconduct was:
The result of Carrie’s disability
Not the result of Carrie’s disability
In addition, discuss how to proceed given the current details of Carrie’s behavior. What next steps need to be addressed, if any, in regards to her behavior and the parent’s requests for an assessment and transportation ?
Part 2: Analysis
Include a 250-500 word analysis regarding any legal issues raised by the principal’s decision to change in Carrie’s transportation. Reference relevant statutes, regulations, and case decisions as appropriate .
