A HANDBOOK ON STUDENT RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

With An Emphasis On California Law

July 4, 2007

21^th Printing

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PREFACE . . . . . . . . . .

INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . .

THE CENTER . . . . . . . . .

FOR ASSISTANCE ON STUDENT RIGHTS ISSUES . . . .

TABLE OF CONTENTS . . . . . . . .

HANDBOOK REVISIONS . . . . . . . .

LEGEND . . . . . . . . . .

ADMISSION TO SCHOOLS . . . . . . .

Ø Education Is A “Fundamental Interest” . . . . .

Ø Community College . . . . . . .

Ø Continuation School . . . . . . .

Ø Public School And College Attendance . . . .

ADULT STUDENTS . . . . . . . .

Ø Clearing Your Absences . . . . . .

ALTERNATIVES TO SUSPENSION AND EXPULSION . . .

ATTENDANCE . . . . . . . . .

Ø Excusing Students For Confidential, Medical Services . .

Ø Excusing Student To Travel, Work Or Study . . . .

Ø Expectations Of Students . . . . . .

Ø Placing Students Under Arrest . . . . . .

BACKBACKS . . . . . . . . .

BATHROOMS . . . . . . . . .

Ø Bathrooms Must Be Safe, Clean, Operational, Stocked and Open .

Ø Parents Could Sue If Bathrooms Are Not Safe, Clean, Operational,

Stocked and Open . . . . . .

Ø Illegal To Lock Bathrooms For Punishment Or Administrative

Convenience . . . . . . . .

Ø Specific Minimum Numbers of Bathrooms Must Be Made Available .

BILINGUAL ISSUES . . . . . . . .

Ø When School Letters Must Be Sent Home In Primary

Languages . . . . . . . .

CELL PHONES . . . . . . . . .

CHARTER SCHOOLS AND CLASSROOM SPACE . . . .

CHILD ABUSE . . . . . . . . .

Ø Hazing, A Misdemeanor With Fines And/Or Imprisonment . .

Ø Physical Pain, Mental Suffering And Unhealthy Situations . .

Ø Reporting Child Abuse . . . . . . .

COMPULSORY EDUCATION . . . . . . .

CONFESSIONS FROM STUDENT . . . . . . .

CONTINUATION HIGH SCHOOLS . . . . . .

Ø Involuntary Transfers . . . . . . .

CORPORAL PUNISHMENT . . . . . . .

CURFEW . . . . . . . . . .

DETENTION . . . . . . . . .

Ø Lunch Time Detentions Prohibited . . . . .

Ø Saturday School Is Illegal . . . . . . .

DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS: . . . . . .

SUSPENSION: . . . . . . . .

Ø Definitions . . . . . . . .

Ø Due Process . . . . . . . .

Ø The United States Supreme Court . . . .

Ø Procedures . . . . . . . .

Ø Grounds For Suspension And Expulsion . . . . .

Ø Other Grounds For Suspension Or Expulsion . . . .

Ø In-House Suspension Alternative . . . . .

Ø Appeals . . . . . . . . .

DUE PROCESS . . . . . . . . .

Ø Definition . . . . . . . . .

EXPULSION: . . . . . . . . .

Ø Definition . . . . . . . .

Ø Due Process . . . . . . . .

Ø Grounds For Expulsion . . . . . . .

Ø Students With Exceptional Needs