Today more than ever, school districts must turn their attention to preventing and responding to serious acts of violence in the school environment. However, to avoid liability in disciplining students, schools must conform their disciplinary process in accordance with Federal and State laws. In this chapter, the legal implications involved in the disciplining of students displaying aggressive and violent behavior is discussed. The first section in the chapter discusses the legal issues or due process issues involved in disciplining students without disabilities and the next section following discusses these same issues involving the disciplining of students with disabilities. The third section discusses the various plans and policies that schools are required to implement by law as a preventive measure against serious acts of violence in schools. In the final section, the chapter focuses on the reporting laws that govern a school district’s response in crisis situations involving serious acts of violence, terror, or property damage. School districts must turn their attention to preventing and responding to serious acts of violence in schools. Schools that are willing to confront these issues are the ones that will maintain the safety and well-being of their schools through their efforts as well as minimize their potential legal liability. References