Discipline and Expulsions
School discipline policies and procedures are largely managed by the staff handbook, local school district board, and administrators. School districts often have school board policies and student handbook information on their website. Parents may also request information on school board policies from school staff.
The Department of Public Instruction provides consultation, technical assistance, and resources to support schools in responding to school rule violations. DPI encourages the use of restorative practices that focus on learning, repairing harm, and community connection.
Below are resources to help school staff and caregivers better understand discipline and expulsion laws.
Resources:
Previous expulsion decisions by the State Superintendent of Public Instruction are found in the expulsion decision report.
- Answers to Frequently Asked School Discipline Questions (2012)
- Alternatives to Expulsion: Case Studies of Wisconsin School Districts (2009)
- Information for parents of expelled students. My Child's Been Expelled...Now What? (2013) Also available in Spanish
- 2023-2024 Virtual Charter Schools Accepting Expelled Students
- Multiple Responses, Promising Results: Evidence-Based, Nonpunitive Alternatives to Zero Tolerance
- Samples: 1) Checklist for expulsion process, 2) letter of expulsion hearing notice, 3) a cover letter to accompany the expulsion order, and 4) an expulsion order. These are examples, and local school boards under guidance of competent counsel should adapt them to their own district policy and practices.
- Policy Statement on Expulsion and Suspension Policies in Early Childhood Settings
- Inclusive Strategies to Address Behavioral Needs for Students with IEPs: This professional learning series provides resources and strategies to help adults address the behavioral needs of students with IEPs in educational settings. Series content is connected to related state and national educational frameworks and aligns with related state and federal legal requirements.