Learn how the discipline system for students with disabilites in California works, and how the letter and spirit of the law is often violated by school officials.

Schools often under report discuplinary removal of student's with disabilities from their classrooms. They do this by using "informal removals" (see below for link to OSEP information). This is when students are sent to the office (or any other area outside of their regular classroom placement) or just sent home without being formally suspended.

Most of the time, the misuse of discipline is caused by a lack of training and experience, but sometimes the misuse is intentional to reduce reportable instances of student discipline.

The number of suspensions in California is now closely tracked through reporting by districts to the state. If those numbers are artificially low, it harms all students. That is because the need for services such as behaviorists and support staff is also artificially low when the actual numbers are higher.

OSEP resources and explanations:
(https://sites.ed.gov/osers/2023/02/discipline-discussions-informal-removals-matter/)

California law regarding discipline:
(https://sites.ed.gov/osers/2023/02/discipline-discussions-informal-removals-matter/)