Can I Get Kicked Out Of School For Getting Pregnant?
There are many misconceptions that if students get pregnant during high school or college they may face limitations to their education such as getting suspended, expelled, or denied the opportunity to walk at graduation.
You will not be kicked out of school or face limitations on your education by your school for being a pregnant or parenting student. You have the same rights as your peers and additional accommodations for your pregnancy may be available to you.
If you attend any private or public school or university that receives federal funds, they must comply with Title IX rules and regulations. Title IX prohibits any discrimination against students who are pregnant or parenting. You should never have to choose between your education and your children and these protections help make it so you do not have to!
So, what does Title IX require from educational institutions to protect the rights of their female students? According to the Office for Civil Rights, your school must:
Excuse absences due to pregnancy or childbirth for as long as your doctor says it is necessary.
Allow you to return to the same academic and extracurricular status as before your medical leave began. This includes providing you the opportunity to make up any work missed while you were out.
Your teacher may not refuse to allow you to submit work after a deadline you missed because of pregnancy or childbirth.
If your teacher grades attendance, you should be allowed to make up the participation or attendance credits.
Provide pregnant students with the same special services provided to students with temporary medical conditions including homebound instruction, at-home tutoring, and independent study.
Allow you to continue participating in classes and extracurricular activities.
You are not required to submit a doctor’s note unless your school requires a doctor’s note from all students who have a physical or emotional condition requiring treatment by a doctor.
Your school also must not require a doctor’s note after you have been hospitalized for childbirth unless it requires a doctor’s note from all students who have been hospitalized for other conditions.
Provide reasonable accommodations such as elevator access, allowing you to make frequent trips to the restroom, etc.
Protect you from harassment based on sex, including harassment based on pregnancy or related conditions.
Learn more about your rights as a pregnant or parenting student here.
If you feel your school is discriminating against you because you are pregnant or parenting you may file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education or Office for Civil Rights.
You may also find that your school has additional policies to benefit your pursuit of education as a parent. Some schools have policies regarding parenting students receiving an excused absence for emergency childcare and even student parental leave after birth. You can search for these policies in your school or university’s student handbook.
The bottom line is, you will not be kicked out of your school or university for being pregnant if the school receives federal funding. To learn if your school has opted all or in part out of Title IX, see here.
At Options for Women, we love to support pregnant and parenting students. Please contact us if you have any questions or would like extra support and one of our advocates can connect with you. We believe women should be empowered with all of her options, especially those guaranteed by law to ensure she does not face discrimination for her pregnancy or parental status.
With care,
Your friends at Options