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Fort Bend ISD DAEP Placements & Expulsions

How Fort Bend Independent School District places students in its Disciplinary Alternative Education Program, how to appeal, and what happens at an expulsion hearing, taken from the district's own Student Code of Conduct and board policy.

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If your child is facing DAEP

What to do right now in Fort Bend ISD

1Write down the date your child was removed from class. Under Fort Bend ISD's code: When a student is removed from class for a DAEP offense, the campus behavior coordinator or appropriate administrator must schedule a conference within 3 school days. The conference includes the student's parent, the student and, if a teacher removed the student, that teacher.
2Go to the conference and ask for the reasons in writing. Ask which section of the 2026-2027 FBISD Student Code of Conduct the school says applies, and whether the placement is mandatory or discretionary.
3Get a copy of the placement order and note its length.
4If you disagree, appeal on time. Appeals about the process used for a DAEP placement, such as problems with the discipline conference or with notice, are handled under board policy FNG (Local) and policy FOC (Legal). Appeals start at Level One with the Department of Student Affairs. Under FNG, a parent who is not satisfied can appeal to a Level Two administrator and then to the Board (Level Three). The consequence is not delayed while an appeal is pending, and the decision cannot be appealed beyond the Board. Deadline: Under the FNG (LOCAL) complaint process described in the Student/Parent Handbook, the Level One complaint form must be filed with the Department of Student Affairs within 10 days of the date the student or parent first knew, or should have known, of the decision.
5If your child has an IEP or a 504 plan, ask the school about a manifestation determination review. Federal special education rules generally require one before a disciplinary removal of more than 10 school days.

Disciplinary Alternative Education Program

How DAEP placement works in Fort Bend ISD

Governing document: 2026-2027 FBISD Student Code of Conduct.

How a placement is decided

The campus behavior coordinator decides whether to place a student in a DAEP. Before deciding, the coordinator must consider factors such as self-defense, intent, disciplinary history, disability, foster care status and homelessness. Before a DAEP placement can be approved, the student gets a due process discipline conference, and the parent/guardian is invited to it in writing. If the student is placed, the campus behavior coordinator writes a placement order.

The placement conference

When a student is removed from class for a DAEP offense, the campus behavior coordinator or appropriate administrator must schedule a conference within 3 school days. The conference includes the student's parent, the student and, if a teacher removed the student, that teacher.

Reviews during placement

While a student is in a DAEP, the campus behavior coordinator or the board's designee reviews the student's status, including academic status, at least every 120 days. For high school students, progress toward graduation and the graduation plan are also reviewed. At the review, the student or parent can argue for the student's return to the regular classroom or campus.

Appealing a DAEP placement in Fort Bend ISD

How to appeal

Deadline

Under the FNG (LOCAL) complaint process described in the Student/Parent Handbook, the Level One complaint form must be filed with the Department of Student Affairs within 10 days of the date the student or parent first knew, or should have known, of the decision.

Expulsion in Fort Bend ISD

The expulsion hearing

At the expulsion hearing, the student can be represented by a parent or another adult who can guide the student. The student can respond to the allegation and present evidence, including video footage and witnesses, and can question the district's witnesses. The district may hold the hearing even if the student or parent does not attend.

Appealing an expulsion

The expulsion hearing officer's decision can be appealed to the Board. The student or parent/guardian must send a written request to the Superintendent within 7 days after receiving the written decision. The Board reviews the hearing record in a closed meeting unless the parent asks in writing for an open meeting. If the Board upholds the decision, the family can appeal to the Commissioner of Education.

Key deadlines in Fort Bend ISD discipline cases

⏱Parent notice: if the parent has not been reached by phone or in person by 5:00 p.m. on the first business day after the disciplinary action, written notice is sent by U.S. Mail or verified e-mail
⏱DAEP conference: must be scheduled within 3 school days after a student is removed from class for a DAEP offense
⏱Interim placement: until the Department of Student Affairs decides on a DAEP recommendation, out-of-school suspension can last no more than 3 days
⏱DAEP placement review: at least every 120 days
⏱DAEP placements longer than 60 days (or past the end of the next grading period, whichever comes first) require notice to the parent and a proceeding before the board or its designee
⏱FNG Level One complaint (used for DAEP/expulsion process appeals): filed with the Department of Student Affairs within 10 days of when the student or parent first knew of the decision
⏱FNG Level Two appeal: filed within 10 days of the written Level One response, or within 10 days of the Level One response deadline if no response came
⏱FNG timelines: 'days' means district business days unless stated otherwise
⏱Expulsion appeal to the Board: written request to the Superintendent within 7 days after receiving the written decision

Your child's rights in the process

✓Before a DAEP placement is approved, the student has the right to a due process discipline conference, and the parent/guardian is invited to it in writing
✓At the DAEP discipline conference, the student can have an adult other than the parent/guardian there to guide the student and parent
✓At the DAEP discipline conference, the student can testify and present evidence
✓The student and parent receive a copy of the DAEP placement order, along with information on how to request a full special education evaluation
✓At each DAEP placement review, the student or parent can argue for the student's return to the regular classroom or campus
✓To extend a DAEP placement beyond 60 days or the end of the next grading period, the parent must get notice and a chance to take part in a proceeding before the board or its designee
✓At an expulsion hearing, the student can be represented by a parent or another adult who can guide the student
✓At an expulsion hearing, the student can respond to the allegation and present evidence, including video footage and witnesses
✓The expulsion notice should state the specific charges and grounds that would justify expulsion
✓The parent can ask in writing for the Board's review of an expulsion to be held in an open meeting
✓If the Board upholds an expulsion, the student and parent can appeal to the Commissioner of Education
✓In the FNG complaint process, a student can be represented by an adult at any level

Fort Bend ISD board policies that govern discipline

Texas districts publish these in their board policy manual. LOCAL policies are the district's own rules; LEGAL policies restate state and federal law.

§FNG (LOCAL): the district's standard student/parent complaint policy, used for DAEP and expulsion process appeals
§FOC (LEGAL): cited for appeals about the process used for a DAEP placement or expulsion decision
§FOD (LOCAL): cited with FNG (LOCAL) as a complaint procedure for discipline appeals; filing timelines in policy are enforced
§FO (LEGAL) and FO (LOCAL): student discipline
§FOCA (LEGAL) and FODA (LEGAL): cited for transition services when a student returns from a DAEP or JJAEP
§FFH (LEGAL) and FFH (LOCAL): cited for Title IX formal complaints when a student is accused of sexual harassment

What is different about Fort Bend ISD's process

→Fort Bend ISD has a District Expulsion Program (DEP), a separate placement from the DAEP that keeps an expelled student on the FBISD alternative campus instead of sending the student off site to the JJAEP
→Unless the placement order says otherwise, days absent from the DAEP do not count toward finishing the placement
→DAEP and expulsion process appeals start at Level One with the central Department of Student Affairs, not at the campus

Texas Education Code, Chapter 37

What Texas law requires in every district

The placement conference

Within 3 class days after a student is removed from class (by a teacher, or by the principal or another administrator for a DAEP placement), the campus behavior coordinator or another administrator must schedule a conference. (Tex. Educ. Code § 37.009(a))
The conference includes the campus behavior coordinator or another administrator, a parent or guardian, the teacher who removed the student (if any), and the student. (Tex. Educ. Code § 37.009(a))
At the conference, the student must be told the reasons for the removal, either in writing or out loud. The student must also get an explanation of why and a chance to respond. (Tex. Educ. Code § 37.009(a))
The student may not go back to the regular classroom until the conference is held. (Tex. Educ. Code § 37.009(a))

The placement order

After the conference, the campus behavior coordinator orders the placement for a length of time consistent with the student code of conduct, after considering the required factors. (Tex. Educ. Code § 37.009(a))
If the length of the placement does not match the guidelines in the student code of conduct, the order must say so. (Tex. Educ. Code § 37.009(a))
A placement may not last more than 1 year unless, after a review, the district decides the student is a threat to the safety of other students or district employees. (Tex. Educ. Code § 37.009(a))
The board or its designee must give the student and the parent or guardian a copy of the DAEP placement order. (Tex. Educ. Code § 37.009(g))

Long placements

Some DAEP placements last longer than 60 days or past the end of the next grading period, whichever comes first. For these, the parent or guardian has a right to notice and a chance to take part in a proceeding before the school board or its designee. (Tex. Educ. Code § 37.009(b))

Appealing a DAEP placement

District policy may allow a student to appeal the campus behavior coordinator's decision to the board or its designee. If so, the board's decision is final and cannot be appealed further. This does not apply to expulsions. (Tex. Educ. Code § 37.009(b))

Reviews during placement

A student in DAEP must have their status reviewed, including academic status, by the board's designee at least every 120 days. (Tex. Educ. Code § 37.009(e))
For a high school student, the board's designee and the parent or guardian must review progress toward graduation and set a specific graduation plan. (Tex. Educ. Code § 37.009(e))
At the review, the student or parent or guardian must have a chance to argue for the student's return to the regular classroom or campus. (Tex. Educ. Code § 37.009(e))

Expulsion hearings

Before a student can be expelled, the board or its designee must give the student a hearing with due process as required by the U.S. Constitution. (Tex. Educ. Code § 37.009(f))
The parent or guardian must be invited to the hearing in writing. (Tex. Educ. Code § 37.009(f))
At the hearing, the student may be represented by a parent or guardian, or by another adult who can guide the student and who is not a school district employee. (Tex. Educ. Code § 37.009(f))
The district may hold the hearing even if no one attends for the student, as long as it made a good-faith effort to tell the student and parent or guardian the time and place. (Tex. Educ. Code § 37.009(f))
Before expelling a student, the board must consider self-defense, the student's intent or lack of intent, and the student's disciplinary history. (Tex. Educ. Code § 37.009(f))

Appealing an expulsion

If the board's designee made the expulsion decision, it can be appealed to the school board. (Tex. Educ. Code § 37.009(f))
The board's decision can be appealed by trial de novo (a new trial) in a district court in the county where the school district's central office is located. (Tex. Educ. Code § 37.009(f))

Source: Texas Education Code, Chapter 37. Districts may add procedures, but not take away these protections.

Frequently asked questions: Fort Bend ISD

How does Fort Bend ISD decide on a DAEP placement?

When is the DAEP placement conference at Fort Bend ISD?

How do I appeal a DAEP placement in Fort Bend ISD?

Appeals about the process used for a DAEP placement, such as problems with the discipline conference or with notice, are handled under board policy FNG (Local) and policy FOC (Legal). Appeals start at Level One with the Department of Student Affairs. Under FNG, a parent who is not satisfied can appeal to a Level Two administrator and then to the Board (Level Three). The consequence is not delayed while an appeal is pending, and the decision cannot be appealed beyond the Board. Deadline: Under the FNG (LOCAL) complaint process described in the Student/Parent Handbook, the Level One complaint form must be filed with the Department of Student Affairs within 10 days of the date the student or parent first knew, or should have known, of the decision.

Can a Fort Bend ISD expulsion be appealed?

How AdvocatED helps Fort Bend ISD families

K-12 Discipline & DAEP Advocacy

Preparing for the placement conference, building the appeal, and protecting your child's record.

Expulsion Hearing Preparation

What to request before the hearing, how to present your child's side, and how appeals work.

Other Texas districts

Austin Independent School DistrictAustin Dallas Independent School DistrictDallas Houston Independent School DistrictHouston

Sources

Every district-specific fact above was checked against the exact wording of these official Fort Bend ISD documents on November 1, 2026. Codes of conduct change each school year, so confirm details in the version that applies to your child.

General information, not legal advice. AdvocatED is an education advocacy service, not a law firm.

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