Wake Education Advocates, a group of students, parents, and advocates concerned about educational excellence and equity in the Wake County Public School System, has prepared the following information about student rights.

• Include an evaluation to see where you need extra help.
• List what academic help you will get, such as mentoring, tutoring, summer school, Saturday school, extended school days, special homework, smaller classes, and modified instructional programs.
• Describe how the school will ensure the plan is followed and working.

• Get an explanation from the principal about why you are being suspended, including what rule(s) you broke and the evidence against you.
• Tell your side of the story.
• Take textbooks home, get homework, and have a chance to make up tests. Your parent/guardian should pick up work from the school for you.

• Take textbooks home, get homework, and make up tests during the first 10 days of the suspension.
• Receive written notice of the charges against you.
• Have a hearing where you can present evidence in your defense, bring witnesses to testify for you, and ask questions of the witnesses against you. You have to request a hearing within 4 days of getting the notice.
• Have the hearing recorded and get a copy of the recording.
• Bring a lawyer or advocate to the hearing.
• Appeal to the superintendent.
• Appeal to the Wake Board of Education.
• Appeal to the Superior Court.

• An evaluation so the school knows what you need.
• A free, appropriate public education (FAPE) that meets your needs.
• An individualized education program (IEP) that will have goals for you and a plan for the school to help you meet your goals.
• Get your education as much as possible with your peers who don’t have disabilities (called the “least restrictive environment”).
• Have a manifestation determination review (MDR) before you can be suspended for more than 10 days. At the MDR it’s decided if your misbehavior was caused by:

• Not to be searched, unless the school has a good reason to think you have something that is not allowed at school. (However, schools can search lockers and school computers at any time for any reason.)
• Say no if someone asks to search you.
• Remain silent if you are questioned/ interrogated.
• Ask to call your parent/ guardian if a school staff wants to search or question you.

• Freedom of speech and expression, although it cannot be vulgar, lewd, threatening, or disruptive speech.
• Freedom of religion, both to express religious views and also to be free from the establishment of religion by the school.
• Freedom of assembly. You can form non-disruptive protests, although the school can restrict the location when on school property.
• Freedom from discrimination based on race, national origin, gender, religion, or sexual orientation.
• A quality (“sound basic”) education.
• Have your parent/guardian get copies of your education records.
• Get a copy of the student code of conduct. Read it!

• Write down the name of the person who violated your rights.
• Write down the names of people who may have seen what happened or who know something about what happened.
• Write down exactly what happened. Use as much detail as possible. Don’t give what you write to anyone except your parent/guardian and lawyer.
• Try to stay calm. Don’t say or do anything you will regret or that could get you into trouble.
• Call Wake help at (919)-576-9253 or email wakehelp@gmail.com. They can direct you to the right place.