Can a school change a child’s placement as a result of behavior?

There are many actions for the school to pursue before changing a student’s placement in response to behavior (called a “disciplinary change of placement”).

If the school recommends a change of placement as a result of behavior, they must send prior written notice and hold a meeting with the parents, and parents must consent to the proposed change prior to any change taking place.

If the IEP team fails to meet a student’s behavioral needs, this may be considered a denial of the child’s right to a free, appropriate public education (FAPE).

To learn more, see our article How Are Students with Disabilities Protected from Discriminatory Discipline?