Disciplinary measure at school: reprimand, exclusion, objection

Schools can impose disciplinary measures for serious or repeated breaches of duty, from a reprimand through temporary exclusion to transfer to another school. Such measures must be proportionate and issued in a fair procedure. Against burdensome decisions you can take action.

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Your chances of getting your money back

Disciplinary measures are regulated in the state school laws and must be proportionate. Before drastic measures, students and parents must be heard; often a conference is prescribed.

Against a burdensome disciplinary measure you can as a rule file an objection and have it reviewed by an administrative court. Procedural errors (missing hearing) and disproportionality are common points of attack.

What you should do now

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1. Check the procedure
Were students and parents heard and the prescribed conference held? Errors make the measure attackable.
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2. Check proportionality
Is the measure in proportion to the offense? Milder means often take priority.
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3. File an objection
File an objection against the disciplinary measure in time and justify it.
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4. Check urgent legal protection
For an immediately effective exclusion, an urgent application to the administrative court may be necessary.

How to spot the scam

A drastic measure takes place without a prior hearing.
The measure is clearly too harsh in relation to the offense.
Milder means were not considered.

Frequently asked questions

Which disciplinary measures may the school impose?

Depending on the state school law, this ranges from a written reprimand through temporary exclusion from class to transfer to another school. The measures are graduated and must be proportionate; drastic measures require a hearing.

How do I defend myself against a disciplinary measure?

As a rule with an objection and subsequently administrative-court review. Common points of attack are procedural errors (missing hearing or conference) and the disproportionality of the measure in relation to the offense.

What if the exclusion applies immediately?

If a measure is immediately effective and drastic, an urgent application to the administrative court may be necessary to provisionally stop the enforcement. Get legal support in cases with serious consequences.

Take action now

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General information for self-help, not legal advice (RDG). In case of a high loss or uncertainty: contact a consumer advice center or a lawyer.