The number of NYC students facing long-term school suspensions increased by 89% between 2000 and 2008, jumping from 8,567 to 16,214. The educational impact of these school suspensions is extremely grave. A recent report found that the NYC schools with the most punitive disciplinary policies are overwhelmingly under-resourced, overcrowded, and primarily attended by low-income students of color.

Furthermore, a disproportionate number of those suspended are students with disabilities. Once a decision to suspend is made, the law provides a suspension hearing process for parents and students in order to protect their educational rights. This process can be complex and lengthy, however, and is often unknown to parents. Although students have the right to bring a lawyer to their suspension hearings under the New York State Education Law, the vast majority of students are unable to find representation.

The Junior Board of Advocates for Children (www.advocatesforchildren.org), in partnership with the Suspension Representation Project (www.law.nyu.edu/studentorganizations/suspensionrepresentationproject), is pleased to present a panel discussion on the role that advocates can have in the New York City suspension hearing process as well as some of the overarching problems facing this system. The panelists will include leading practitioners in educational advocacy from Advocates for Children, the Legal Aid Society, and Legal Services NYC--and the discussion will cover both details of the hearing process itself and the general experiences of attorneys practicing in the field. Those who are already active in this area, as well as those interested in exploring educational issues further are encouraged to attend.