Bill Gives ESP Authority to Remove Unruly Students
A bill that gives education support professionals authority to remove
disruptive students has been introduced by Rep. Sondy Pope-Roberts of
Verona.
Current law gives a teacher the authority to remove a pupil from the
classroom if the pupil violates a locally developed code of conduct;
is dangerous, unruly or disruptive; or exhibits behavior that interferes
with the teacher's ability to teach effectively. Pope-Roberts' proposal
extends the same authority to education support professionals.
The bill carries out the Safe and Healthy Schools provision of WEAC's
Legislative Agenda, which argues that education support professionals
are increasingly called upon to supervise students. This measure enhances
their authority to keep classrooms and schools working safely.
Under the measure, a pupil who is removed from the classroom must be
sent to the principal, with a written explanation of the reasons for
the removal. The bill authorizes any school employee to remove a pupil
from any portion of school property or from a school-sponsored activity
that is supervised by the employee if the pupil is dangerous, disruptive,
unruly or interferes with the ability of the employee to perform his
or her job effectively. The school employee must escort the pupil to
the principal's office and provide an explanation for the removal.
Pope-Roberts' bill is AB 760 – the Disruptive Student Act. Co-sponsors
include Reps. Terese Berceau, Josh Zepnick, Shirley Krug, Barbara Gronemus,
Alvin Ott, Robert Turner, Frank Lasee, Scott Gunderson, John Lehman,
Spencer Black, Jennifer Shilling, Terry Musser, and Stephen Freese;
and Sens. Jeffrey Plale, Roger Breske, Russell Decker, Fred Risser and
Dale Schultz.
Posted January 21, 2004