A discipline hearing is an opportunity for a review of facts known about an alleged incident. It is an opportunity to learn more about the incident, for the parents to challenge any claims that they think are not accurate, and to determine an appropriate consequence. Even when the student admits the wrongdoing and no facts are in dispute, the hearing can be used to help make sure that the corrective disciplinary action being imposed is appropriate.

Disciplinary hearings are the only administrative avenue for exercising due process rights. If parents and students do not take part in hearings, they are giving up opportunities to be heard and to appeal decisions with which they may disagree.