• You should go to the hearing with your child. It is important for your child to have a chance to tell the school what he thinks happened.
• Your child should think about what happened and write down any important information. Help your child gather any documents you think will help your child present her side of the story.
• Help your child decide whether to have any witnesses testify about what happened.
• Prepare yourself and your child. The school staff will have documents and may have witnesses, like teachers. Usually the school staff present their side of the story first. They will bring school records about your child to the hearing.
• Ask to see your child’s school records before the hearing. If you think that the school does not have all the facts, bring your own evidence.
• Present any discipline alternatives you think would be more appropriate.
• If your child is in Special Education, contact a disability advocacy organization (see below). You and your child have special rights under federal and state law.
• If your child is not in Special Education, but you think that she may need special services to do well in school, you should ask for an evaluation for special education.

If you need help, call an advocacy group immediately. If they cannot help you, they may know someone who can. If you keep trying, you should be able to find someone to answer your questions.

NOTE: If, at any time, the police are present when your child is being questioned, your child may have a constitutional right to not incriminate himself.

Resources:

• Law Access New Mexico: 988-4529 or (800)340-9971
• New Mexico Legal Aid: Albuquerque Office 243-7871
• Parents for Behaviorally Different Children (PBDC): 256-0430 or (800)273-7232
• Parents Reaching Out (PRO): 247-0192 or (800)524-5176
• Pegasus Legal Services for Children: 244-1101
• Protection and Advocacy System (P&A): 256-3100 or (800)432-4682
• Youth Development, Inc. (YDI): 352-3413