In 2007, more that 200,000 teens were expelled or suspended from schools in the UK: that's 985 each school day or 41, on average, every hour of term. As a former education manager, the problem with dealing with misbehaving teens was always a very delicate one, especially against a background of trying to keep the teen in school, unsupportive parents and doing what was right by those offended. the reality of a badly behaved disruptive teen can often be very frustrating and even scary.

There are many reasons teens are expelled. Often the reason can appear trivial when taken up by the media: like having the 'wrong' hair style or wearing the 'wrong' clothes. But that would usually be the last straw for a school in a catalogue of miscreant behaviour. The reasons for being expelled are diverse but the main ones are:

a. Threatened or caused physical harm to a member of staff or other teen.

b. Repeatedly defied authority and disrupted school activities.

c. Carrying a dangerous weapon, like a knife or a gun.

d. Robbery, extortion or persistent bullying.

e. Possessed or sold any kind of illegal/controlled substance.

f. Stole, or attempted to steal, school property.

g. Damaged school or private property.

h. Obscene acts, habitual profanity or general disrespect.

These are not acceptable behaviours in society and teens committing them set a bad example to the others to follow, they disrupt the normal routine, prevent other children from learning and they put others at risk, especially where bullying and violence is involved. Worse still, their presence encourages others to emulate their behaviour. The only sure way to stop such acts is to expel the deviants.

If your teen has been expelled, he/se would not have reached that point instantly. It would have taken some time to develop so the remedy won't be quick or easy either. Often, it is difficult for a parent, who simply wants the best for their child, to realise, or even accept, that there is a behaviour problem. They probably would have had the warning letters but felt the teen was just going through a phase. The important thing now is to assess the problem and help the teen overcome it in order to steer them on the path to future success instead of them being stuck in a negative direction which could harm their future.

The following tips should be of value in dealing with expulsion:

1. Assess the effect of the teen's behaviour on the whole family. If the teen is unduly aggressive, withdrawn, argumentative and uncooperative,

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