Is the misconduct in question due to an inappropriate placement?
This determination must be based upon information from a variety of sources, including aptitude and achievement tests, teacher recommendations, physical condition, social or cultural background, and adaptive behavior. District staff does not need to use all of the sources of information listed above in every instance. The point of the requirement is to ensure that more than one source of information is used in making such a placement decision. In addition, the district should examine the kinds of educational placements that previously have been tried with the student and determine whether a placement more restrictive than the current placement would control the student’s behavior. As a general rule, a district should not long-term suspend or expel a student without first attempting to control the student’s behavior by placing the student in a more restrictive educational placement unless it has a legitimate reason for rejecting a more restrictive placement as a viable placement option.
