What a Massachusetts public school must do when it suspends or expels your child — the caps, the hearing, and where the appeal clock actually lives.
Federal floor (all states): notice of the charges, an explanation of the evidence if your child denies them, and a chance to tell their side before a suspension of up to 10 days (Goss v. Lopez). With an IEP, the federal discipline clock adds the 10-school-day manifestation review and the 45-school-day interim-setting rules (34 CFR §§300.530–300.536).
Single suspension length: no statewide cap was verified in state law.
Hearing: Principal hearing required before any long-term suspension or expulsion; the student may present evidence and witnesses and be represented by counsel..
Appeal deadline in state law: 5 calendar days to superintendent — to superintendent.
Expulsion length: no statewide maximum verified — district-set.
Sources: M.G.L. c.71 §§37H, 37H½, 37H¾; 603 CMR 53.00
Rules checked October 2026 — every rule on this page is cited to its source. Verify day counts against your district's official calendar.
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