This Disability Scoop article discusses the U.S. Department of Education's proposal to include informal removals in the upcoming civil rights data collection.  This is an important step in ensuring that all disciplinary actions affecting students with disabilities are fully documented and understood. Informal removals, while less visible than formal suspensions or expulsions, are far from uncommon in schools. 

These can include instances where students are sent home or removed from the classroom without a formal record, often leaving them without critical instruction or services. While such actions may be used as a means of managing behavior, they can inadvertently result in missed educational opportunities for students, especially those with disabilities, who are entitled to instruction and/or services via an IEP and/or Section 504 plan. 

The lack of reporting on these removals has made it difficult to quantify their impact, but disability rights advocates argue that acknowledging them is crucial to ensuring that students receive the support they need to succeed academically and socially. The proposed changes highlight a growing recognition of the need for transparency in school disciplinary practices, particularly in how they affect vulnerable student populations.

The U.S. Department of Education is accepting comments on the proposed changes through Dec. 16, 2024.

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