Suspension and Expulsion: What Parents and Students Need to Know

Ontario's Approach

A positive school climate means everyone — students, parents1, staff and community members – feels safe, welcomed and respected. Everyone has a role to play in promoting healthy relationships and contributing to a school climate which helps to encourage appropriate student behaviour.

When inappropriate student behaviour occurs, schools will use a progressive discipline approach which combines early and ongoing interventions to promote positive student behaviour. Schools consider a range of options to determine the most appropriate way to respond to each situation and help students learn from their choices, while taking into account their individual circumstances. In some cases, a suspension or an expulsion may be necessary.

Suspensions and Expulsions During Emergency School Closure

As a result of school closures across the province, the process for expulsions and suspensions impacted many school boards.

On April 14, 2020, the government passed an amendment to the. This change will help ensure consistency, equity and fairness in how suspended students are treated if the review of their case for potential expulsion has been impacted by the school closure.

The amendment recognizes the special circumstances of boards, parents and students during the current state of emergency and provides the flexibility needed to carry out necessary suspension procedures once school closures end. This applies to situations where students were suspended before schools were ordered closed, but no decision has been made yet regarding their expulsion.

During the school closure, a Director of Education, upon the recommendation of a principal, may allow principals and boards to carry out investigations and expulsion hearings for these students, even if more than 20 school days have passed since the start of the suspension. Boards will now have up to 20 school days, from the date schools re-open, to complete required activities to determine whether an expulsion is warranted – this includes investigations and hearings.

This would have no effect on the length of a suspension. This means that:

– the 20-day maximum allowable suspension period would still apply

– students would not have their suspension terms extended.

Please see below for additional information.

The Facts on Suspension and Expulsion

Use this guide to find out:

what activities can lead to suspension or expulsion

what factors will be considered in a suspension or an expulsion

what programs and supports are available to help expelled students or students on long-term suspension keep learning and get back on track

how school closures impact a suspension or an expulsion

Suspension

Students who are suspended from school have opportunities to continue learning to help them stay on track with their education.

What is suspension?

A suspension means students are removed from school temporarily for a specific period of time. Students may be suspended for a period of time ranging from one school day up to 20 school days. Students cannot go to school or take part in regular school activities or events while on suspension.

Who decides if students are suspended?

Only the principal can suspend a student.

Who decides if a student's suspension is affected by the school closures?

In some cases, there may be students who were suspended for activities that could lead to expulsion. If the principal's suspension investigation was not completed before the school closure period, the Director of Education, upon the recommendation of a principal, can approve a delay in the investigation until after the school closure ends. This would allow the principal time to conduct a full investigation. If a Director of Education has given such approval, the investigation and expulsion hearing (if the principal recommends expulsion) must be completed within 20 school days after the school closure ends.

What activities can lead to suspension?

The principal must consider suspension if a student has engaged in any of the activities listed below:

uttering a threat to inflict serious bodily harm on another person

possessing alcohol, cannabis (unless the student is authorized to use cannabis for medical purposes), or illegal drugs

being under the influence of alcohol or cannabis (unless the student is authorized to use cannabis for medical purposes)

swearing at a teacher or at any person in a position of authority

committing an act of vandalism that causes extensive damage to school property at the student's school or to property on school premises

bullying, including cyber-bullying

any other activities identified in school board policy.

Suspension will be considered whether the activity took place at school, at a school-related activity (e.g., a field trip), or in any other circumstances where the student's behaviour has an impact on the school climate (like cyber-bullying).

What must principals consider before suspending a student?

Before suspending a student, the principal must consider the individual circumstances of that student and must specifically take into account the following factors2:

the student does not have the ability to control their behaviour

the student does not have the ability to understand the possible consequences of their behaviour

the student's presence in the school does not create an unacceptable risk to the safety of another person

the student's history (i.e., personal history such as a recent trauma in the student's life)

whether progressive discipline has already been used

whether the behaviour is related to harassment because of the student's race, ethnic origin, religion, disability, gender or sexual orientation or any other type of harassment

how the suspension will affect the student's ongoing education

the student's age

If a student has special education needs and has an Individual Education Plan, the principal must also consider:

whether the behaviour was a manifestation of a disability identified in the student's plan

whether appropriate accommodation has been provided

whether suspension is likely to aggravate or worsen the student's behaviour or conduct.

Each decision on discipline is unique for each student. Based on these factors, the principal can decide on different consequences and supports for each student. For example, two students may be involved in an incident but only one student may be suspended. Or, a principal may suspend one student for five days but suspend another for three days, and suggest counselling for both students.

How will parents hear about the suspension?

When students are suspended, the principal will make every reasonable effort to let their parents know within 24 hours. This will be followed by a letter notifying them about the suspension. The letter will include important information, such as:

reason for the suspension

length of the suspension

the supervisory officer's contact information, in case parents have any questions

information on how and when to appeal the suspension.

What programs are offered when students are suspended?

Students can be suspended for a period of one to 20 school days. Students who are suspended for more than five school days are considered to be on a long-term suspension.

Students who are suspended for one to five school days are expected to receive a homework package from the school.

Students who are suspended for six to 10 school days must be offered an academic program that will help them continue learning. Students are encouraged to participate in the program.

Students who are suspended for 11 to 20 school days must be offered a program with an academic component as well as a non-academic component to promote positive behaviour. Non-academic components could include supports like anger management, substance-abuse counselling or life skills coaching to help engage and motivate the student, and encourage positive behaviour. Students are encouraged to participate in the program.

Once a student has been suspended for more than five school days and agrees to participate in a program for suspended students, the principal will hold a planning meeting with school and board staff, the student, and parents (wherever possible) to identify the objectives of the Student Action Plan.

The plan defines the academic component and non-academic component, as appropriate, to promote positive behaviour the student will receive in the program. The program will be based on the student's needs, length of the suspension, the nature and severity of the behaviour as well as mitigating and other factors.

The academic part of the program will follow the Ontario curriculum and ensure that students have the opportunity to continue their education. If students have special education needs and an Individual Education Plan, the school board must provide supports that are consistent with the plan.

Will parents be able to discuss supports provided for their child?

Principals must invite parents to have a discussion about the program, including the supports that will be provided for their child.

School boards must also have a process in place for parents to follow if they have concerns about the supports provided to their child.

Can a suspension be appealed?

A suspension can be appealed to the school board. Written notice of the request for an appeal must be sent to the superintendent of the school board within 10 school days of the start of the suspension.

The appeal must be heard within 15 school days of the board receiving the notice of appeal, unless the parents and school board have agreed to an extension. If parents have questions about the appeal, they can contact the superintendent of the school board.

What happens when the student returns from a suspension?

Suspended students must be permitted to return to school after the suspension, investigation, and expulsion hearing (if relevant) is over. While a program must be offered by the school board to students who are suspended for more than five school days, students do not have to participate in or complete a school board program to return to school.

For students returning from a suspension lasting more than five school days, the principal will hold a re-entry meeting with school and school board staff, the student and their parents (where possible). Community agencies that have been working with the student may be included, as appropriate. The purpose of the meeting is to make the student's transition back to school successful (i.e., by identifying any extra academic or non-academic supports the student may need).

Summary of programs for suspended students

Suspension

Planning Meeting

Student Action Plan: Academic Component

Student Action Plan: Non-academic component (Supports)

Re-entry meeting

1-5 school days

Not required

Not required

Not required

Not required

6-10 school days

Required

Required

Not required

Required

11-20 school days

Required

Required

Required

Required

Expulsion

Students who are expelled from school must be provided with opportunities to continue their education and must be offered additional non-academic supports, such as counselling, to help promote positive behaviour.

What is expulsion?

An expulsion is different from a suspension. An expulsion does not have a time limit. Expelled students are removed from school for an indefinite time period. Students are suspended first, while expulsion is being considered.

Students can be expelled from their own school or they can be expelled from all schools in their school board.

Students expelled from all schools in their school board cannot go to school or take part in regular school activities or events. For example, expelled students cannot go on field trips or take part in school team events.

Who decides if a student is expelled?

After an investigation, the principal recommends to the school board whether or not a student should be expelled. Only the school board can make the decision to expel a student.

Who decides if an expulsion is affected by the school closures?

In some cases, there may be students who were suspended for activities that could lead to expulsion. If the expulsion hearing was not completed before the school closure period, the Director of Education, upon the recommendation of a principal, can allow for additional time for the board to conduct an expulsion hearing after the school closure ends. If a Director of Education has given such approval, the investigation and expulsion hearing (if the principal recommends expulsion) must be completed within 20 school days after the school closure ends.

What activities can lead to expulsion?

If a student has engaged in any of the activities listed below, the principal will immediately suspend the student, investigate the incident and recommend whether the student should be expelled. Activities include:

possessing a weapon, including a firearm

using a weapon to cause or threaten bodily harm to another person

committing physical assault on another person that causes bodily harm requiring treatment by a medical practitioner

committing sexual assault

trafficking in weapons or in illegal drugs

committing robbery

giving alcohol or cannabis to a minor

bullying – if the student has previously been suspended for bullying and the student's presence in the school creates an unacceptable risk to the safety of another person

any activity for which a student can be suspended (see section on suspension) that is motivated by bias, prejudice or hate

any other activities identified in school board policy.

Expulsion will happen whether the activity took place at school, at a school-related event (i.e., a field trip) or in any other circumstances where the student's behaviour has a negative impact on the school climate.

What happens if students engage in one of these activities?

The student will be immediately suspended. The principal must then investigate the matter in order to determine whether to recommend to the school board that the student be expelled. As part of the investigation, the principal must make every reasonable effort to speak to the student who was suspended, their parents, and anyone else who may have relevant information.

How will parents hear about it?

When students are suspended pending a possible expulsion, the principal will make every reasonable effort to let their parents know within 24 hours that the student has been suspended. This will be followed by a letter notifying them about the suspension. The letter will also include important information, such as:

reason for the suspension

length of the suspension

information about the program for suspended students to which the student is assigned

information on how and when to appeal the suspension.

What must a principal consider when deciding whether or not to recommend an expulsion?

Before deciding whether to recommend a student for expulsion, the principal must consider the student's individual circumstances and specifically take into account the following factors2:

the student does not have the ability to control their behaviour

the student does not have the ability to understand the possible consequences of their behaviour

the student's presence in the school does not create an unacceptable risk to the safety of another person

the student's history (i.e., personal history such as recent trauma in the student's life)

whether progressive discipline has already been used

whether the behaviour is related to harassment because of the student's race, ethnic origin, religion, disability, gender or sexual orientation or any other type of harassment

how the expulsion will affect the student's ongoing education

the student's age

If a student has special education needs and has an Individual Education Plan, the principal must also consider:

whether the behaviour was a manifestation of a disability identified in the student's plan

whether appropriate accommodation has been provided

whether suspension is likely to aggravate or worsen the student's behaviour or conduct.

Each decision on discipline is unique for each student. Based on these factors, one student may be recommended for an expulsion, while another student is not.

What happens after the principal's investigation?

Following the investigation, the principal will:

a. Decide if the student should not be recommended for expulsion. In this case, the principal has three choices:

Confirm the suspension and its length.

Confirm the student is still suspended, but shorten the length of the suspension and update the student's record.

Withdraw the suspension and remove it from the student's record even if the suspension has already been served.

OR

b. Submit a report to the school board summarizing the principal's findings and recommending that the student be expelled from their school only, or from all schools in the school board. The report is also sent to the student's parents.

If the principal recommends an expulsion, the school board will then hold an expulsion hearing. This must happen within 20 school days of the student being suspended.

The exception during an emergency school closure

Where a school is under a school closure order, and where the Director of Education approves, the time limit for holding an expulsion hearing can be extended up to a maximum of 20 school days after school resumes (after the closure order expires). Under this special circumstance, the school board could hold an expulsion hearing and subsequently decide to expel a student, even though more than 20 school days had passed since the suspension expired. A principal is not required to wait until school resumes to resolve a suspension matter.

It is important to note that:

There is no change to the length of the student's suspension. The 20-school day maximum allowable suspension period would still apply (i.e. students would not have their suspension terms extended).

As a result of the extended timeline for holding an expulsion hearing during the school closure period, there may be a gap between the expiry of a student's suspension and the holding of the expulsion hearing.

This applies to students who were suspended before schools were ordered closed, but where no decision has been made yet regarding whether or not they would be expelled.

A committee of school board trustees may act on behalf of the school board to make the decision on the expulsion. The student and their parents have the opportunity to explain their views at the expulsion hearing.

After the expulsion hearing, the school board will:

a. Decide not to expel the student. If the board makes this decision it can then:

Confirm the suspension and its length.

Confirm the student is still suspended, but shorten the length of the suspension and update the student's record.

Overturn the suspension and remove it from the student's record.

OR

b. Decide to expel the student only from their school.

OR

c. Decide to expel the student from all schools in the school board.

Can an expulsion be appealed?

An expulsion can be appealed to the Child and Family Services Review Board within 30 school days after the expulsion notice has been received. Information on how to appeal the decision will be included in the notice of expulsion.

What happens when students are expelled?

When students are expelled from their school only, the school board will assign them to another school in the board.

OR

When students are expelled from all schools in the school board, the school board must offer them a program for expelled students. When students complete the program, they can apply to return to school.

Parents will receive written notice of expulsion. It will give them information on the new school or the school board program the student can access. It will also include information on how to appeal the expulsion.

What programs and supports are offered when students are expelled?

When students are expelled only from their school and moved to another school of the board, school boards must make supports and resources available to the student at that school where necessary. These supports could include anger management or individual/family counselling that are intended to help engage and motivate students and encourage positive behaviour.

When students are expelled from all schools in the school board and agree to participate in the program for expelled students, the principal will hold a planning meeting with school and school board staff, the student, and parents (wherever possible) to identify the objectives of the Student Action Plan.

This plan identifies the academic component and supports to promote positive behaviour the student will receive in the program. The program will be based on the student's needs, the nature and severity of the behaviour, as well as mitigating and other factors. The plan should be reviewed regularly by the school to determine the student's progress in meeting the objectives of the plan.

Academic component

This part of the program ensures that students have the opportunity to continue their education. Students will continue to follow the Ontario curriculum.

If students have an Individual Education Plan, the board must provide supports consistent with the plan.

Non-academic component (supports) to promote positive behaviour

This part of the program will help students develop long-term positive attitudes and behaviours. It identifies services and supports students might need. These could include:

anger management

referral for substance abuse counselling

individual/family counselling for secondary school students to help engage and motivate them, and encourage positive behaviour.

Will parents be able to discuss supports for their child?

Principals must invite parents to have a discussion about the supports that will be provided for their child.

School boards must also have a process in place for parents to follow if they have concerns about the supports provided to their child.

How can an expelled student return to school?

Students who have been expelled from their school only may wish to return to that original school at a later date. Students can write to the school board asking to return. It is then up to the school board to decide whether the student can return to their original school.

OR

Students expelled from all schools in the school board can apply to return to school with their original school board. Students may also attend a different school board if they are living in that board's area:

If students successfully complete a school board program for expelled students, they may apply to be readmitted and the board must readmit them to school.

If the school board staff who provides the program for expelled students believes that the students have met its program objectives through another route, such as work experience, then the school board must readmit them.

If students have not successfully completed a program or met program objectives through another route, they remain expelled.

A re-entry plan must be developed to help the student make the transition back into school. School and school board staff, the student, and their parents (wherever possible) will meet with the principal to develop this plan. The plan should include:

strategies to help make the student's return to school successful

identifying any extra academic or non-academic supports to promote positive behaviour the student may need.

Learn More

Contact your school principal.

Visit your school board website.

Learn more about Ontario's approach to making schools safe and accepting by visiting ontario.ca/safeschools.

In this document, parent(s) refers to parent(s) and guardian(s) as used in the Education Act. It may also be taken to include caregivers or close family members who are responsible for raising the child.

In this document, mitigating factors refer to mitigating and other factors as outlined in Ontario Regulation 472/07, Behaviour, Discipline and Safety of Pupils, available at: https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/070472.