The message in its entirety is attached below.
You may prohibit a student from attending a prom or graduation ceremony when he or she poses
a real threat of violence or disruption to the event. It may also be possible to bar a student from
a prom or graduation when his or her conduct has been particularly egregious, and where the student
has previously been advised in writing. For example, students who vandalized school buses have been
excluded from their graduation ceremony where they previously had been put on notice that such
misconduct could result in the exclusion. Students who are already on suspension at the time of the
prom or graduation also may be prohibited from attending these events, but the exclusion must be
proportionate to the infraction committed.
In considering whether to exclude students from such one-time events, you should consider whether
the punishment would further your school’s educational goals. As with all other disciplinary
actions, adverse treatment may not be predicated upon generalizations or vague standards. For
example, basing eligibility on “satisfactory attendance” or “good citizenship” is too vague.
Instead, exclusion from events must arise from specific, identifiable incidents.
Since attendance at a prom or graduation ceremony is voluntary, the deprivation of such an activity
does not require a full due process hearing. However, basic fairness dictates that students receive
notice and some kind of opportunity to be heard. You should make students aware of regulations and
specific penalties for their violation prior to their application. You should disseminate
guidelines for a prom or graduation ceremony to students and their parents in advance of these
events. When exclusion from a prom or graduation is being considered, you should give the student
and his or her parent an opportunity to discuss the underlying facts and
the potential disciplinary action before any measures are taken.
You may prohibit a student from attending a prom or graduation ceremony when he or she poses
a real threat of violence or disruption to the event. It may also be possible to bar a student from
a prom or graduation when his or her conduct has been particularly egregious, and where the student
has previously been advised in writing. For example, students who vandalized school buses have been
excluded from their graduation ceremony where they previously had been put on notice that such
misconduct could result in the exclusion. Students who are already on suspension at the time of the
prom or graduation also may be prohibited from attending these events, but the exclusion must be
proportionate to the infraction committed.
In considering whether to exclude students from such one-time events, you should consider whether
the punishment would further your school’s educational goals. As with all other disciplinary
actions, adverse treatment may not be predicated upon generalizations or vague standards. For
example, basing eligibility on “satisfactory attendance” or “good citizenship” is too vague.
Instead, exclusion from events must arise from specific, identifiable incidents.
Since attendance at a prom or graduation ceremony is voluntary, the deprivation of such an activity
does not require a full due process hearing. However, basic fairness dictates that students receive
notice and some kind of opportunity to be heard. You should make students aware of regulations and
specific penalties for their violation prior to their application. You should disseminate
guidelines for a prom or graduation ceremony to students and their parents in advance of these
events. When exclusion from a prom or graduation is being considered, you should give the student
and his or her parent an opportunity to discuss the underlying facts and
the potential disciplinary action before any measures are taken.