Schools being able to kick people out?

[Skytteflickan88]

In The Witch Joyce says:

JOYCE: Your own thing, whatever it is, got you kicked out of school, and we had to move here to find a decent school that would take you! (Buffy is hurt. She takes her bag and starts to go) Honey, uhhh... (Buffy leaves) (disgusted with herself) Uhhh! Great parenting form! Little shaky on the dismount.

I assumed that meant schools could not accept trouble students. But in Faith, Hope & Trick it seems like Snyder have to accept Buffy back (or Snyder says the school board made him do it, when it was really Giles' threat?):

JOYCE: I'm not sure I like your attitude, Mr. Snyder. I spoke with the school board, and according to them...

SNYDER: I'm required to educate every juvenile who is not in jail where she belongs. Welcome back.

BUFFY: So let me get this straight. I'm really back in school because the school board *overruled* you. Wow. That's like having your whole ability to do this job called into question, when you think about it.

Is that because that once accepted, he can't kick her out unless she goes to jail? But students who aren't accepted yet can be... not accepted?

Or was it Giles' threat that did it? Anyone knowing the american school system enough to be able to answer this?

 

[GrrArghx]

She was only able to be brought back, IMO, because he unfairly expelled her.

 

[VisionGirl]

I work for the public schools, although I don't specifically know the details of the policies. Yes, public schools in the US have to educate every student, they can't pick and choose, it's federal law. However, they can have rules, and there are grounds for expulsion. However even in those cases I believe the district still has to provide some kind of alternative education placement. Even incarcerated or institutionalized minors have to be provided an education. Additionally, if a child is receiving any kind of special education services (including for any type of emotional disturbance or psychological diagnosis), suspension & expulsion are handled a little bit differently, again under federal and state law (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act).

---------- Post added at 11:09 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:07 AM ----------

She was only able to be brought back, IMO, because he unfairly expelled her.

True, any parent has the right to appeal an expulsion I would think, and there are very specific procedures for due process for special education students.

 

[SupportOGal]

Here is how I understand it (this may not be entirely accurate):In the US school system, you can be expelled for pretty grievous offenses (like burning down your gym), but the principal doesn't get to decide that punishment. They can suspend you immediately and then a hearing is held with the school board/administrators/you/etc. That is who ultimately decides whether expulsion is appropriate or not. Being expelled would mean being unable to go to any public school in at least the district, so if you wanted to continue schooling, you'd have to find a private school to take you or do homeschool.

I think that, in Buffy's case, she was found to have done nothing wrong in the deaths/injuries at the school from Becoming, so the school board reversed the expulsion. While Giles' threat was awesome, I don't think it had anything to do with Buffy's reinstatement as a student.

 

[Chosen Enemy]

Now that I think about it, maybe it doesn't even have anything to do with what you said. Maybe someone from the evil forces wanted Buffy to be back. From another thread (can't remember which) we know that Snyder has the knowledge about vampires, maybe about the mayor and his plans, maybe that Buffy is the Slayer and all that.... So maybe someone there made him take Buffy back in, for some reason. It doesn't make much sense what I'm saying, but maybe there is a good reason for them to do that....

 

[brinkster130]

I work for the public schools, although I don't specifically know the details of the policies. Yes, public schools in the US have to educate every student, they can't pick and choose, it's federal law. However, they can have rules, and there are grounds for expulsion. However even in those cases I believe the district still has to provide some kind of alternative education placement. Even incarcerated or institutionalized minors have to be provided an education. Additionally, if a child is receiving any kind of special education services (including for any type of emotional disturbance or psychological diagnosis), suspension & expulsion are handled a little bit differently, again under federal and state law (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act).

---------- Post added at 11:09 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:07 AM ----------



True, any parent has the right to appeal an expulsion I would think, and there are very specific procedures for due process for special education students.

VisionGirl is correct, public schools in the US have to educate everyone. That being said just about every school district has had an "alternative education placement" school or program for pupils who are troubled, are failing and in some districts even pregnant students get sent there. So I suppose Snyder could have looked at Buffy's behavior record and the District could have deemed her better suited for an continuation/alternative school.

 

[BananaBuffy]

I really don't think Principal Snyder had as much power as he liked to make out. I don't think it was up to him to expell Buffy, because Principals can have harsh opinions on students. That's why when the cane exisited, not every teacher could use it on students because they could be using it for very selfish reasons. I think it might be the same for Snyder because he is with the students every day and can form opinions of it but the school governors or whatever don't have that and so it should be up to them.

 

[Skytteflickan88]

Thanks, that cleared up the Snyder thing.

But how about Joyce saying it was hard to find a decent school who would take Buffy in? Can school say no to students?

 

[Mithol]

I think that was just her exaggerating. Trying to make Buffy feel guilty in a teasing way.

 

[KellGreen]

Thanks, that cleared up the Snyder thing.

But how about Joyce saying it was hard to find a decent school who would take Buffy in? Can school say no to students?

In my opinion: See above regarding schools having to educate ALL students. Placement in public schools are based on where you live. Within a school district, the individual school you go to is typically based on which school you live closest to (with the exception of some districts that bus in students from further away due to attempts at race integration). No private school would have taken Buffy. This left only public schools, and meant that Joyce had to find a home within the boundaries of a good quality one. The better ones tend to be located in higher cost living areas (they, then, have more funds from property taxes). I took it to mean the same thing I've dealt with: trying to find an affordable place within the boudaries of one of the better quality public schools. The best ones in my district are within the highest cost neighborhoods.

Also...do they ever say what school Buffy was at before?

 

[VisionGirl]

Also...do they ever say what school Buffy was at before?

Wasn't she at Hemery (sp?) High in LA?

 

[xfivebyfive]

In senior year at my school they kicked students out that weren't going to graduate. They forced them to transfer to City-as so they could protect their hundred percent graduation rate....Schools get away with a lot more then theyre legally allowed to do.

 

[NothingButSong]

Wasn't she at Hemery (sp?) High in LA?

Principal Flutie and Cordelia both mention her being at Hemery in Welcome to the Hellmouth.

"Buffy Summers. Sophomore, late of Hemery High in Los Angeles."

"You transferred from Hemery, right? In L.A.?"