IEP Discipline Procedures in Connecticut
Can a school suspend or expel a student with an IEP in Connecticut?
Connecticut discipline procedures for students with disabilities incorporate federal IDEA protections (34 CFR 300.530-300.536) and Connecticut's school discipline laws under Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 10-233a through 10-233f. School personnel may remove a student with a disability for up to 10 consecutive school days for code of conduct violations without triggering a change of placement. Removals beyond 10 cumulative school days that constitute a change of placement require a manifestation determination review (MDR) within 10 school days. If the behavior is a manifestation of the disability or the LEA failed to implement the IEP, the student must be returned to the prior placement (unless parent and district agree otherwise), and the PPT must conduct an FBA and develop or revise a BIP. Interim alternative educational settings (IAES) of up to 45 school days are available for students who bring weapons or illegal drugs to school or inflict serious bodily injury. Connecticut's local boards of education must provide educational services during out-of-school suspensions of more than 10 days for all students, including those with disabilities (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 10-233c(f)). Connecticut requires that suspended students be provided with the opportunity to complete coursework.
What Connecticut Requires
Students with disabilities may be removed for up to 10 consecutive school days for code of conduct violations without triggering IDEA change-of-placement protections (34 CFR 300.530(b)).
A manifestation determination review (MDR) must be conducted within 10 school days of any decision to change placement for disciplinary reasons (34 CFR 300.530(e)).
If the behavior is a manifestation of the disability or the LEA failed to implement the IEP, the student must be returned to the prior placement and the PPT must conduct an FBA and develop or revise a BIP (34 CFR 300.530(f)).
Interim alternative educational settings for up to 45 school days are permitted for weapons, drugs, or serious bodily injury (34 CFR 300.530(g)).
Connecticut law requires that educational services be provided to students suspended for more than 10 days; suspended students must have the opportunity to complete coursework (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 10-233c(f)).
Connecticut prohibits out-of-school suspension for students in grades K-1 except in cases of immediate danger (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 10-233c(d)) — this provides additional protection for the youngest students with disabilities.
Key Timelines
MDR must be held within 10 school days of a decision to change placement for disciplinary reasons (34 CFR 300.530(e)).
Short-term suspensions: up to 10 consecutive school days without triggering change-of-placement protections (34 CFR 300.530(b)).
IAES for weapons/drugs/serious bodily injury: up to 45 school days (34 CFR 300.530(g)).
Connecticut: educational services must begin for students suspended more than 10 days (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 10-233c(f)).
Expedited due process hearing requests regarding disciplinary placements are subject to reduced timelines (34 CFR 300.532).